South-Central ND

Crop planting should be near completion by the end of May throughout the region. Exceptions are some area fields that need replanting and in Sheridan, Wells, and Eddy counties where planting will continue in early June. Small grain stands generally are excellent and growth stages range from emerging to tillering. Winter wheat is jointing. Corn emergence is slow and some fields have been replanted in the southeast. Canola and mustard have been injured by repeated frosts, wind, and more recently by flea beetle. Rainfall is needed throughout the region to replentish topsoil moisture, especially for winter wheat, early-planted spring crops, and for germination of shallow-seeded crops and soybean. Weeds are rapidly emerging and growing including wild oat, kochia, wild buckwheat, wild mustard, common lambsquarters, foxtail, and pigweed. Growers should be monitoring corn, bean and sunflower fields for wireworm and cutworm activity. Alfalfa, grass hay, and pasture growth is very slow, especially early-grazed pastures. Growers may need to start planning to supplement their hay needs by planting warm-season annual forages.

Greg Endres

Area Extension Specialist/Cropping Systems

NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center

Gregory.Endres@ndsu.nodak.edu