The Redfield, South Dakota area crop is variable. Driving within two miles of Jim Klebsch’s farm, north of town, it’s evident there’s been lots of moisture. There are muddy fields with no crops, soybeans with wet feet, a blooming sunflower field previously flooded by the James river this spring and decent corn. “You drive around the block and it goes from really good to nothing,” says Klebsch. “The farmers really tried hard and the fields with higher elevations have a good crop. Anything flat or low is in tough shape.” Southeast of town, Steve Massat says the late crops look decent. His farm has been missing the big rains, but isn’t short on moisture. Muddy pens aren’t helping cattle. “The biggest concern about the cattle is getting the lots back into shape. It’s tough what you’re going to deal with cleaning them out,” says Massat. “I told a friend in March when I saw the geese fly that’s the best thing I’ve seen in a long time. Of course, a tremendous amount of snow impacted calving conditions. It’s been tough feeding cattle this year.”
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