WASHINGTON, D.C.(Dakota Radio Group)- Despite rain in many parts of the state, South Dakota’s corn crop is still ranked the worse in the nation according to this week’s USDA National Ag Statistics Service update.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the worst looking corn is in the middle of the country.

He says South Dakota’s soybeans aren’t doing any better.

Rippey says despite the poor condition, South Dakota’s corn crop made a big jump in maturity over the past week.

But, Rippey says, the speedy maturity isn’t likely to produce good yields.

Pasture and range conditions in South Dakota rated 39% very poor, 41% poor, 15% fair, 5% good and 0% excellent.

Based on September 1, 2021, conditions, USDA NASS estimates South Dakota’s 2021 corn crop will produce 751 million bushels, up 3% from last year’s production. Acreage harvested for grain is estimated at 5.65 million acres, up 26% from a year ago, but average yield is forecast at 133 bushels per acre, down 29 bushels from last year.

The state’s soybean production is forecast at 207 million bushels, down 7% from last year. Acres for harvest, at 5.45 million acres, is up 11% from last year with the yield forecast at 38 bushels per acre, down 7.5 bushels from last year.

There is one somewhat bright spot among South Dakota’s crops though. Sorghum production is forecast at 18.5 million bushels, up 63% from last year. Area for harvest, at 285,000 acres, is up 78% from 2020. However, USDA NASS predicts the yield will be 65 bushels per acre, down 6 bushels from last year.