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• "In the northeastern counties, there are still quite a few snow-covered fields, despite the last few warm days," said Edwards.
• Most farmers in that area plan to plant corn around the third or fourth week of April, and soybeans in early to mid-May. The southern area farmers try to get into fields even earlier. Spring wheat planting has barely begun, but those activities will increase rapidly this month as well.
Soil temperatures are an important consideration for planting conditions, Todey says.
• "Soil temperatures at 4-inch depth are above average over most of the western and far southern parts of the state. Temperatures are lagging in the snow covered areas of the northeast. The generally dry soils should warm rapidly once warmer conditions reach the state," he said.
• A cool spring has been good news for the state's drought in eastern cropping areas, but dryness has degraded conditions in the northwest.
• "As the wetter season approaches, some more drought relief is expected across most of the state," said Todey. "The latest seasonal drought outlook shows likely improvement over the next three months in all areas except the southern tier of counties along the Nebraska border." 
• Conditions should improve. But impacts of last year's drought are going to carry over into the growing season in the way of limited soil moisture and drought impacts on rangeland.
• To read more articles about South Dakota's climate, visit www.iGrow.org.