As harvest gets underway, experts remind farmers of grain bin saftey

South Dakota’s corn harvest has begun although it’s not starting quickly.

USDA says 3% of the crop is harvested, behind last year’s progress and only a slight increase from the previous week.  More than half of South Dakota’s soybeans are dropping leaves, with harvest 3% complete.

Winter wheat is 7% emerged with 39% of the crop planted. More than half of the state’s sorghum is mature, with the crop 8% harvested.

With the harvest underway, a University of Nebraska Extension specialist is reminding farmers about grain bin safety. Amy Timmerman says farmers should wear a dust mask or respirator when cleaning out grain bins. She adds that farmers shouldn’t work in a grain bin alone, and should always wear a harness. 

Based on Sept. 1, 2024, conditions, South Dakota’s 2024 corn crop is forecast at 857 million bushels, up slightly from last year’s production, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Acreage harvested for grain is estimated at 5.26 million acres, down 6% from a year ago. Average yield is forecast at 163 bushels per acre, up 11 bushels from last year.