South Dakota Corn Harvest Could Match Last Year’s Crop

A farmer in northeast South Dakota is optimistic about this year's corn harvest, which could match last year's crop.

Bob Metz from Roberts County says the corn is nearly ready to be harvested and looks promising. 'The ears are filled pretty much right out to the tip,' he explained. 'There's some years out there even with 20 around. So it looks good.'

The USDA reports that 22 percent of South Dakota's corn crop has reached maturity, ahead of average.

Metz notes that the basis at an ethanol plant about 40 miles north of his farm is stronger than last year due to short crops in North Dakota. 'A lot of times when the grain market goes up, the basis just widens,' he said. 'But that hasn’t happened in the last month with the basis staying right in there, if not even a little better.'

Metz says some corn has already been marketed and forward contracted for delivery to the ethanol plant in early 2027.