Crop Descriptions
General Crop Descriptions
The crops of greatest importance in eastern South Dakota are those that are best adapted to the climate and soils of the region. A list of the crops and their acreage for the recent past can be referenced in the South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service web site. Crop descriptions and production practices of each of the important crops to the region can be selected with this index:
Index of Important Crops (Eastern South Dakota)
Grain Crops |
Oil Crops |
Hay Crops and Pasture |
Specialty Crops |
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Grain Crops
a. Grain Corn
Corn or maize has been produced in South Dakota soon after settler's began arriving in the nineteenth century. South Dakota is on the western edge of the corn belt, so corn yield are not as great as in other corn belt states. Dent corn is the most popular corn type and mainly grown to feed beef cattle, hogs, poultry feed, and other livestock, High oil and white corn is occasionally grown for human consumption on a contract basis.
Production Practices
Corn is mainly grown in the eastern part of the state reflecting the crops high need for adequate moisture. However, there is a significant amount of the eastern South Dakota corn crop that is irrigated. Corn responds well to adequate moisture and other agrochemical inputs (fertilizer).
Corn with maturity rating of about 105 days can be planted in extreme southeastern part of the state and 85 day hybrids are planted in the northern tier of counties. Production practices include both conventional tillage and conservation tillage practices (including no-till). Corn is usually planted in a row spacing of about 30", although there are farmers with older equipment who continue to plant at less productive row spacings of 36" and 38". Innovative farmers are experimenting with 19-22" row spacings. Although planters and combines may need special adaptations for the spacings, these narrower rows usually produce a field population that is able to utilize soil moisture and nutrients more effectively.
Corn is usually grown in a two-crop rotation with soybeans in eastern South Dakota developed to address the threat of increasingly greater insect and weed pressure which was developing under a corn monoculture. However, certain insects (European corn borer, army worm, western root worm) have adapted their cycles to a two-crop rotation and may be a threat again. Because of this, some farmers are growing corn in a three crop rotation with wheat and soybeans, but it is less profitable. During years of low corn commodity prices, many farmers have the flexibility to plant soybeans in lieu of corn, but they will be risking the occurrence of pest problems (fungal, bacterial, nematodes, insects) common to soybean monocultures. Corn is harvested with a combine and the grain is stored in grain bins until it is sold. When on-farm storage space is limited in high production years, corn grain may be stored outside until shipment begins.
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b. Silage Corn
Dairy operations produce much of their corn for silage for feeding lactating cows. Special corn hybrids for silage production are available, but many farmers plant normal grain corn hybrids. Towards the end of the grain filling period, the whole corn plant is cut and chopped when the plant moisture content is about 68%. The chopped corn is blown into a silo where it is stored in an anaerobic environment where it becomes silage. Silage is preserved without any appreciable decomposition. Sometimes chopped corn is made into silage as it is stored in long plastic sleeves stored on the ground. The sleeves are stored on the ground and the silage is more accessible than that stored in a silo.
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Cereal Grain Crops
Wheat has been the most important crop in the state in the past. However, corn and soybeans have recently supplanted wheat in the eastern part of the state as wheat production became less profitable. The wheat crop is either planted to winter wheat or spring wheat. Most winter wheat is planted in central and western South Dakota and most spring wheat is planted in eastern South Dakota.
New varieties are continually being developed at the South Dakota Experiment Station to increase yield, and gain resistance to drought, stem and leaf rust, head scab, barley yellow dwarf, and the Hessian fly. Several older varieties were developed to produce grain and straw for bedding livestock, but these have a tendency to lodge. Newer varieties are shorter in stature as a reflection of grain production priorities. Although grain production is now far more important than straw production, some farmers will still bale the straw after harvest for bedding and emergency feed.
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a. Winter Wheat
Production Practices
Winter wheat must be planted in September so that germination will occur before the soil temperature drops significantly. Planting occurs prior to the corn and soybean harvest so winter wheat, must be planted in either ground growing a half-season crop like oats or a fallow ground. In eastern South Dakota, it is not profitable to plant winter wheat since an entire season is fallowed. It may be advantageous to plant winter wheat in fields where a preferable crop could not be planted or a crop has been lost because of difficult weather conditions. However, to reduce the "winter kill", winter wheat is usually planted into standing stubble or residues of a previous crop.
Winter wheat is usually planted in mid-September with a grain drill (6-8" row spacing) after the Hessian fly-free date. This planting date allows the crop to germinate and slowly become acclimatized to the onset of cooler weather. Winter wheat enters a dormant period as the Fall deepens and remains there until late February-March. The greatest risk to winter wheat production is "winter kill". Low temperature and soil moisture levels can reduce the viability of the wheat seedling.
Winter wheat requires a vernalization period where the seedling requires a 10 day period of 40 degrees F or lower for jointing and flowering to occur. For viable seedlings, dormancy is broken in late winter or early spring and the crop undergoes a tillering period. Wheat joints and heads by June. The crop is generally ready for harvest beginning in early August. Wheat is usually harvested by combine. In cases where the straw or grain has a more prolonged drying period than is preferable, or heavy weed infestation occurs which could interfere with a timely harvest, the wheat is cut and swathed in rows and it harvested off the ground. Swathing is not the preferable practice since swathing and drying can encourage grain loss since the grain is easily shattered from the head. If adequate growing conditions are present, winter wheat yields will be 5-20% higher than comparable spring wheat variety.
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b. Spring Wheat
Spring wheat varieties are being developed for regions of the state where the winters are too harsh for the winter wheat production and winter kill is commonplace. Spring wheat is generally grown in the western part of the state only along the northern tier of counties west of the Missouri River. Many new varieties which are mostly medium stature, and are being developed for increased yields, head scab resistance, and other favorable characteristics and traits.
Production Practices
Spring wheat is planted with a grain drill in 6-8" row spacings in early April to early May and grows quickly. The tillering period is relatively short compared to winter wheat because the cooler wetter weather which stimulates tillering can be cut short by hotter and dryer weather in late Spring. Consequently, grain yields are usually lower compared to winter wheat but grain protein levels are usually higher. Spring wheat heads in June and is ready for harvest in late July through August. The crop is usually harvested by combine. In cases where the straw or grain has a more prolonged drying period than is preferable, or a heavy weed infestation occurs which could interfere with a timely harvest, the wheat is cut and swathed in rows and it harvested off the ground. This is not the preferable practice since swathing and drying can encourage grain loss since the grain is easily shattered from the head.
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Millet is a crop which is often planted as a "rescue" crop when the planting period has passed for a more preferable crop or when there is severe mid-growing season damage to the preferable crop by hail, drought, or excess moisture. It will provide farmers with something instead of allowing a fallow field to produce weeds which can cause problems for future crops. The growing season for millet is much shorter than most grain crops so it fits the time-lime niche for a short season crop. There are two distinctly different types of millet crops grown in central and western South Dakota. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is grown for its hay production and Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) which is grown for its seed production. Proso millet is often grown on a contract basis to supply the needs for the birdseed suppliers
Production Practices
Millet can be planted with a small grain seeder in 6-8" rows. It can also be planted by dropping the seed on the soil surface with a following light incorporation. Millet grows quickly during the heat of the summer if moisture is adequate. Foxtail millet is cut, swathed, dried, and baled like alfalfa or grass hay. Proso millet is usually combined, although it also can be swathed to dry in furrows before the grain is combined. Millet seed usually shatters easily out of the head, so swathing is not the usual method of harvesting the seed.
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Sorghum has similar growth characteristics to corn. However, it's growing season is shorter, is a shorter statured crop, and uses fewer inputs (moisture, fertilizer) than corn. It is often grown in the central and western part of the state where corn is not adapted. It is fed to beef cattle as part of a feed rations. Forage varieties are available which are taller statured. Forage sorghum is cut, dried, and baled similarly to alfalfa hay.
Production Practices
Sorghum Sorghum is planted in 30" rows in late May-June. It grows in the summer months and is highly responsive to fertilizer and moisture inputs. It is harvested with a combine in September-October.
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Oat production has paralleled the use of the horse as farm animals. As mechanization occurred, fewer oat acres were planted. Oat grain and oat hay is used primarily as livestock feed, especially for horses. Oat straw is used primarily as hay for bedding and livestock feed since it's straw is softer than the straw of other cereal grains. It is still grown to some extent for human consumption on a contract basis. Oats are sometimes used as a "nurse crop" and planted with alfalfa seed to shade the young alfalfa seedlings.
Production Practices
Oats are planted with a grain drill in 6-8" row spacings in April. Similarly to spring wheat, oats grow quickly though the tillering and jointing stage and are ready for harvesting by August. Oat hay is cut mid season and allowed to dry before it is baled and stored. If an oat field receives adequate moisture after it is cut for hay, it will grow back and is then used to graze livestock at the end of the summer. Oat grain is harvested at maturity by either swathing, drying and combining the crop from the ground, or directly combining a standing crop.
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Barley has been a historically important cereal grain in South Dakota, but it's production has been declining for many years. Most of the barley is grown in the eastern part of the state. It can be produced on a contract basis as a malt barley for the beer production industry, or to a minor extent as a feed for livestock. Barley has never been a popular feeding grain since it's spiked awns irritate livestock. It can grow well in soil conditions where wheat yields are reduced.
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Rye production has been historically important, but its acreage has declined recently. It has been grown principally for human consumption with some grown as animal feed. Rye can be grown on marginal soils and still produce adequately. In some parts of the state which have less harsh conditions, rye has been grown as a winter cover crop for soil erosion measures, but it is not a popular practice since it tends to use soil moisture that could be conserved for more lucrative crops.
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Oil
Crops
Soybean production in South Dakota has risen from a secondary crop twenty years ago to the major cash grain crop in the state. Oil is extracted from the grain, and has many industrial uses, one of which is a possible replacement fuel for diesel oil used in heavy transports. The meal is fed to livestock, notably for hog and beef-cattle consumption although their is a small growing niche for human consumption as tofu or curd.
Soybean varieties are developed mainly for achieving maximum yields, but can also be bred for characteristics such as Phytophthera (fungus) race, white mold or nematode resistance, high pH or salt tolerance which reduces Fe chlorosis, and resistance to certain herbicides. The herbicide resistant varieties are considered Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) whose marketing presents some challenges since their acceptance is limited by international trade organizations.
Production Practices
Soybeans are grown in the eastern part of the state where there is adequate soil moisture and where they have good root penetration characteristics in the soil nodulation. They are grown on rain fed fields as well as under irrigation. Maturity groups range form group "0" varieties in the northern tier of counties to group "II" and early group "III" varieties in the southern tier of counties in eastern South Dakota. Adapted varieties are developed by commercial seed-breeding companies or by South Dakota State University as "public release" varieties. The recommended varieties for various regions of the state consider temperature (Growing Degree Days or GDD) as well as growing season precipitation.
Soybeans are planted in a number of row configurations. Many of the soybeans planted with conventional tillage are planted in 30" rows, similarly to corn it's rotation crop partner. However, many farmers who produce soybeans without tillage (no-till), plant them with a grain drill at 6-7" row spacings. There are also come farmers experimenting with intermediate row spacings in order to get herbicide spraying equipment into the field while minimizing plant damage. Research has shown that yields for the narrow row spacings often have the highest yields and greatest profitability since they utilize soil water and nutrients more effectively. Soybeans are usually harvested with a small grain combine and stored in grain bins until it is sold.
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Sunflowers used to be a major crop in South Dakota before twenty years ago. It has achieved secondary crop status and has been replaced by soybeans as the preferred crop produced for the oil content. Most sunflowers are produced for their oil content although their is a sizeable minority of sunflower land in confectioner's sunflowers produced for baking purposes. Sunflowers still have a niche in the western parts of South Dakota where it's deeper rooting characteristics allow this crop to obtain the required moisture in regions where there is less growing-season precipitation than land in central and eastern counties where soybeans are primarily grown. Sunflowers are sometimes used as a replacement crop which is planted later in the growing season when unfavorable weather has delayed planting of the primary crop. It is notorious for its susceptibility to many insect and weed infestations. Seeds are planted in 30" rows in late May and June. Sunflowers are combined when they reach maturity.
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Flax used to be a major crop in South Dakota about forty years ago. It has achieved secondary crop status and has been replaced by soybeans as the preferred crop produced for oil (linseed oil). Flax is a short season and shallow rooted crop which requires adequate moisture during the growing season. Flax is planted in 6-8" rows in May. It grows quickly and reaches maturity by the end of the summer. Flax seed heads (bolls) are combined by a small grain combine in early fall.
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Rapeseed or Canola (a name coined in Canada) is a cool weather crop grown mostly in the northern tier of counties near the North Dakota border for the production of oil. The seeds are small but numerous. It is a tall and deep-rooted crop which can be planted late in the season and harvested earlier than soybeans. It's production will probably never be very great, but it can fill a niche in those areas of the state in which planting is delayed substantially due to wet or cooler conditions.
Hay and Pasture
Crops
Alfalfa production is a great proportion of the hay crop grown in South Dakota. For the most part it is raised by farmers to feed their own dairy herds and some beef cattle for weight gain. The crop is generally seeded together with a cereal grain "nurse" crop like oats in the early spring and sometimes in the fall. The seed is planted to a very shallow depth since it is very small. The nurse crop usually germinates quickly and provides early canopy shading until the roots of the alfalfa seedlings grow to a deeper depth where moisture stress near the soil surface does not affect growth vigor as much. Once the nurse crop reaches maturity, it is harvested and the young alfalfa crop is on it's own. An alfalfa crop is usually cut at when 10% of the blooms are flowering (10%bloom). It is cut, dried, and baled in a space of a week. When the alfalfa is used primarily to feed local herds, some farmers "buck" the dried alfalfa hay into large haystacks for temporary storage. Crop quality and protein value decreases when drying hay is subjected to rain or excessive drying. To protect and maintain the hay quality after it is baled, some bales are wrapped tightly with nylon mesh or a thin plastic sheet. A stand of alfalfa is usually cropped for 4-6 years before the stand begins to diminish. Alfalfa stands older than five years have an increasingly higher percentage of grass, which for some livestock is preferable than pure alfalfa hay. Alfalfa bales can be stored outside or under shelter.
Quality alfalfa hay is produced on some of the better land and requires high agrochemical and fertilizer inputs. It is often baled in large "square" bales for easy transport and sold at premium prices for out-of-state export.
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Grass hay is usually produced for local consumption without much fertilizer or other agrochemical inputs. The grass forages can either be entirely native species or are often in a mixture of native and imported grasses (improved pasture) which require some fertilizer applications for maximum productivity. It is cut a few times during the growing season, raked, dried, and baled for storage and winter feeding or emergency feeding of livestock. Two-three years of grass hay is often stored on the farm for emergency feeding purposes in the winter or during doughty summers. Since they are bulky and can occupy valuable storage space, old hay bales are usually burned.
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Soils with high sand or clay content, are stony or rocky, are excessively wet or droughty, or otherwise unsuited for crop production are usually placed in grazing pasture to support the extensive cattle and dairy industry of the state. Like grass grown for hay production, these grass forages grown can either be completely native species or are often in a mixture of native and imported grasses (improved pasture) which require some fertilizer applications for maximum productivity. They are often neglected and have the least attention of any parts of the farm landscape.
Specialty Crops
Eastern South Dakota farmers have interacted with various marketers to grow a number of crops on a contract basis without which they could not sell their crops since there is not a great demand for them in traditional commodity market. The list includes buckwheat, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), safflowers, field beans, confectioner's sunflowers, as well as some of the grain and oil crops listed beforehand. These are minor in extent when compared to the area allocated for the other crops, and usually comprise a very small part of a farmer's land in production.
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Vegetables, Fruits, and Horticultural Products
Some South Dakota farmers have long standing contracts with buyers to produce onions, watermelons, dried flowers and herbs for domestic and international export. In addition, some farmers have found local niche markets to sell produce directly to the public in farmer's markets, or fruit stands, and even "pick your own" enterprises. All of these cottage industries have high input costs for agrochemicals, labor, and irrigation, but generally obtain reasonable return in their investment. In addition, sweet clover and other types of cloves are planted to support the state's honey industry.
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Some farmers are "Organic Farmers" who produce crops without incorporating any synthetic chemicals (fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, or nematocides etc.) into their crop production programs. Organic farmers rely on management or natural means to increase yields and profitability such as crop rotations, plowing fields and including legumes into the crop rotation to provide nitrogen, applying manure to add all nutrients, introducing predatory insects, the reliance on cultivation to control weeds, and employing crop rotations for controlling crop pests. Often Organic Farmers will not attain as high a yield as their conventional counterparts, but generally receive higher commodity prices for their crops.
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