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Multi-Peril Crop Insurance: Delayed and Prevent Plant Choices
Crop insurance late plant dates are fast approaching for planting crops in South Dakota. The weather and soil conditions this spring will likely lead to some prevent plant situations for farm producers.
Delayed Planting Challenges: Alternative Forages
With the excessively wet planting conditions much of South Dakota is now experiencing, many producers are looking for “Plan B” to meet forage needs for their livestock, or as a commodity that can be marketed to livestock producers.
Delayed Planting Challenges: Cover Crop Considerations
High waters and saturated soils across many counties in South Dakota have producers worried about getting their crops planted in a timely manner this spring. In many areas, typical cash crops will not be a possibility. Producers may need to develop alternative plans.
Spring Wheat 2019: A Repeat of Last Year?
The spring of 2019 has been cold and wet in many areas of South Dakota, similar to the spring of 2018. In 2018, despite the challenging weather, spring wheat acres were up 8% from 2017. However, planted acres in 2019 may be reduced as the extended weather forecast shows unfavorable planting conditions extending well into May.
Winter Survival and Spring Stand Counts in Winter Wheat
Every winter, growers are curious if their wheat field will survive the winter. Not enough snow cover during the coldest days, spring flooding, and ice injury are the main reasons for plants to die. The only way to get a true assessment of winter survival is to scout the field in the spring.
Wet Feet in Wheat
Given the widespread wet conditions present this spring, there are many areas in winter wheat fields with both ponding and saturated (or waterlogged) soils. Producers may want to consider soil conditions and evaluate extended weather forecasts when deciding whether or not to retain a winter wheat this spring.
May 2019 Climate Outlook: April Showers Bring May Showers?
The precipitation outlook for May does not show much promise of relief from moisture, as wetter than average conditions are slightly more favored than drier conditions. In addition, cooler than average temperatures are more likely for the first half of May and could continue for much of the month.
Use the SD Spray Tool for Inversion Detection and Weather for Pesticide Application
The SD Mesonet Spray Tool provides real-time weather data for pesticide applicators. This dedicated website for pesticide applicators uses the SD Mesonet weather data, which is updated every five minutes.
July 2019 Climate Outlook: Challenges Continue
This year’s seasonal pattern of wetter than average conditions is projected to continue through July and the rest of the summer season. The latest climate outlook, released June 20, 2019, shows an increased chance of wetter than average conditions in the next one to three months for the state of South Dakota.
Use the Scab and Leaf Disease Forecasting Tools to Decide on Fungicide Application in Wheat
Fungicide application in winter wheat has consistently shown to prevent yield loss caused by fungal diseases. However, in some cases, a fungicide application may not always result in a profitable yield when disease pressure is low. Disease forecasting tools can aid fungicide application decisions and hence improve on the profitability of fungicide application.