VOLGA, S.D. (RFD-TV) — Harvest is progressing across South Dakota, but broken stalks, crop disease, and difficult field conditions are slowing some producers as they bring in a crop that is generally holding up better than expected despite a dry summer.
Scott VanderWal, president of the South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation, joined Market Day Report to discuss harvest progress, regional yield differences, and the financial pressures farmers face as they look toward 2027.
Down Corn Slows Harvest
VanderWal said producers got off to a late start with soybean harvest, which also delayed the start of corn harvest in South Dakota.
Stalk rot and crown rot have contributed to broken stalks and down corn, making some fields difficult to harvest. While combine corn heads can pick up much of the crop, corn lying flat or tangled together forces operators to slow down.
“There’s some lying flat, and some of it’s tangled up so bad, you have to go really slow,” VanderWal said.
The conditions are also hard on equipment, with implement dealers selling more corn snouts and shafts as producers work through damaged fields.
Despite those challenges, VanderWal said the crop has generally been good, although field losses have affected yields.
Dry Summer, Variable Yields
VanderWal expects yields to come in somewhat below last year’s levels, partly because of field losses and mold in some areas.
He said east-central South Dakota went from mid-July through late August with virtually no rain. Some areas in the southeastern part of the state experienced even drier conditions, with some corn failing to develop ears.
Even so, he said yields have been relatively strong considering the weather producers faced during the growing season.
Harvest conditions also vary across the state. In the northwest, heavy rain ahead of harvest has left producers dealing with muddy fields and delays. VanderWal said some farmers are still harvesting soybeans because of the wet conditions.
Rising Costs Add Pressure Heading Into 2027
Along with harvest challenges, farmers are facing continued financial pressure from crop prices and rising production costs.
VanderWal said crop prices improved somewhat in recent weeks before falling again. Fertilizer costs are expected to be significantly higher heading into next season, while diesel prices are adding another strain to farm budgets.
“Fuel prices right now are 60 to 70 percent higher than they were last spring, and we weren’t counting on that,” VanderWal said.
He described the increase as another major burden for producers already dealing with difficult farm economics.
Farmers Remain Optimistic
As producers finish harvest and begin planning for 2027, VanderWal said many are focused on managing their marketing decisions and preparing to start over next season.
He said farmers are accustomed to working through difficult years, even when the outlook remains uncertain.
“Farmers are optimists by nature,” VanderWal said. “We’re just going to hang on and start over next year and hope it gets better.”
He said producers will continue doing the best they can with marketing and other decisions as they navigate the current challenges.
“The only thing we know for sure is that it’ll be different,” VanderWal said. “We don’t know whether it’ll be better or worse.”
