Will It Survive? Planting in South Dakota in March

Why It Matters

Early-season planting can extend the crop window and boost yields, but success hinges on managing moisture, temperature, and weed control in cold, dry conditions.

Key Takeaways

• Early March planting in South Dakota shows promising seed emergence.
• Minimal rainfall and low GDUs challenge germination but seedlings survive.
• Weed pressure from pennycress highlights need for timely herbicide application.
• Soybean planting density mitigates crusting and supports uniform emergence.
• Frost risk remains, but early planting may extend growing season length.

Summary

The video documents a field trial in South Dakota where corn and soybean strips were planted on March 30, a month earlier than typical. Host Zach and agronomist Darren revisit the site on April 24 to assess seedling development, soil conditions, and early‑season challenges.

Despite near‑zero rainfall and low growing‑degree units, several seedlings have broken through the soil surface, and soybean seed treatments remain visible. The team notes a single pennycress weed with an extensive root system, underscoring the difficulty of controlling winter‑annuals without adequate heat for herbicide efficacy. Fertilizer placement was uneven at the plot edge, reflecting the practical limits of early‑season equipment speed.

Darren expresses enthusiasm for the “nuts” early planting, emphasizing that as long as germinating seeds stay below ground during potential freezes, they can survive. He points out that higher soybean planting populations help counteract surface crusting, and the uniform emergence observed suggests seed‑treatment performance remains robust despite dry conditions.

If the seedlings continue to thrive, the trial could demonstrate that pushing planting dates forward by several weeks is viable in the Upper Midwest, potentially lengthening the effective growing season and improving yield potential, provided growers manage moisture, weed pressure, and frost risk appropriately.

Original Description

Zach Hefty and Darren Hefty check on one of the Ag PhD “crazy trials” planted on March 30th in South Dakota. Almost a month later, they dig up early planted corn and soybeans to see how the seed handled cold, dry spring conditions and whether anything is starting to emerge.

They look at corn emergence, soybean emergence, planting depth, surface crusting, seed treatment performance, early season weed pressure, and field pennycress control. Darren also explains why early planted crops can survive cold conditions as long as the growing point stays protected below the soil surface.