For most locations in the Dakotas, the first half of October was the coldest on record and the amount of precipitation was in the top 10 on record.
Only 6% of the corn in South Dakota had been harvested as of Oct. 18, according to the South Dakota Ag Statistics Service, compared to 27% for the five-year-average; 30% of the soybeans are in compared to 77% for the five year average.
In North Dakota, only 1% of the corn has been combined, compared to 20% for the five year average at this time. Only about 47% of the corn is even mature. Soybeans are 21% harvested, compared with the 82% average.
Southeast North Dakota and northeast South Dakota have the most water. One farmer there says he’s had the combine in the field only one day this fall.
There’s one bright spot -- range and pastures are in the best condition in years. But that doesn't do much for families who have crops still in the field.