Jordan Scott’s soybean crop is off to a good start just outside Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, S.D. He credits this to an early spring and timely planting. Planting began around April 18.
“We got all the crops in in a timely order. We've had some rain since then, so we're sitting pretty good on moisture. It's looking pretty good this year,” he says, while standing amid his plants overlooking a gorgeous pastoral vista.
Peterson grows corn and soybeans in a consistent 50-50 rotation on approximately 1,400 acres in Valley Springs with his parents and wife, Samantha. Seven-hundred of those acres are soybean. The current moisture conditions are good due to adequate rainfall, and both his corn and soybeans are developing well. He’s hoping the weather holds steady, while preparing for the unexpected. So far, the region has seen typical patterns.
"This weather pattern's been pretty normal for us, but it looks like it's going to be wet again in the South for the rest of the year, so there might be some trouble areas again,” he continues.
Currently, Peterson says he’s scouting fields and monitoring crops for weed pressure, pests, and overall plant health. The region has seen some hail, but nothing he’s worried about. His crop protection and weed management strategy begins with spring tillage and has continued more recently with crop protection product application
"We've been able to get our crop protection tools out there — pesticides and the herbicides — in a timely manner,” he says.
Looking ahead, Peterson anticipates a normal harvest, although it might come slightly early due to early planting. Exact timing will depend on Mother Nature.
"It all depends on the weather,” he says. “As of right now, it looks like a normal year. Hopefully, we can get the crop out in a timely manner too. We planted a little earlier, so it might be a little early. We'll see how the weather goes."