Farmers have been out in fields and in roadside ditches for the past couple of weeks getting in their second full cutting of hay across the region. Quantity is there this year, said Greg Friesen, who lives just outside of Ward.
Quality is good but perhaps not what it could be though.
With the rain were getting this summer, its been a challenge to put hay up dry, you think the sunshine would make it perfect but the high humidity in recent weeks added a new twist, a few extra days of drying time, Greg Friesen, who lives just south of Ward, South Dakota.
It is what it is, theres not much you can do about the weather. You just learn to adapt.
Demand has also been lower than normal for this time of year, in part because of the low cost of other feed options. Also because a strong dollar is hindering the purchase of hay for export.
For all crops, the U.S. Drought Monitor Website reports South Dakota is mostly under normal soil conditions except for western South Dakota is under abnormally dry to moderate dry soil conditions.
Corn overall looks good with 53% of area farmers saying their crops look good, and 16% excellent. Soybeans as well.
But some farmers say its going to be a tough year to make money this year unless commodity prices get a boost. Inflation and high costs for inputs are otherwise eating into profits.
Second cutting
