PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) — A report this week from the USDA says South Dakota’s corn crops are in the worst shape in the country among US states.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says 45% of corn crops in the state are rated ‘very poor’ to ‘poor.’ North Dakota is just behind at 43%, followed by Minnesota at 26%.
Rippey said despite the poor condition, South Dakota’s corn crop is maturing ahead of the five-year average pace. He said the drought is responsible for pushing the corn crop to mature more quickly than normal.
(Jody Heemstra, Dakota Radio Group, contributed this report.)
