South Dakota

Hot, dry weather during the week ending July 17 sped up winter Wheat ripening and brought winter Wheat and hay harvesting into full swing, according to the South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, July 18, however, the lack of moisture is beginning to take a toll on small grain and row crop conditions.

Major farm activities included machinery repair, preparing for small grain harvest, harvesting winter wheat, irrigating crops, hay harvesting, fertilizing and applying herbicides, fixing fence, and tending to livestock. Statewide there were 6.6 days reported suitable for fieldwork.

Topsoil moisture levels took a major dive last week, dropping from 76 percent adequate to surplus the previous week to 52 percent adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture levels also declined from 86 percent adequate to surplus to 72 percent adequate to surplus. Many areas across the state are reporting short moisture levels. Rainfall is needed soon to aid crops, pasture, and range.

Winter Wheat harvest is in full swing due to the recent dry conditions and is now 42 percent harvested, ahead of last year and the five-year average of 11 percent and 26 percent, respectively. Corn is now 30 percent tasseled, ahead of last year and the five- year average of 8 percent and 18 percent, respectively, and is rated 80 percent good to excellent. Dry weather enabled soybeans blooming to catch up and pass last year's 47 percent, with 48 percent blooming. Spring- seeded small grains are beginning to ripen. Sorghum is 3 percent headed, and sunflower are barely beginning to bloom at 1 percent.

Range and pasture conditions continue to deteriorate due to the lack of rainfall, dropping 9 points from the previous week, to 68 percent good to excellent. Livestock are handling the heat well and are still in predominately good to excellent condition. The second cutting of alfalfa is 38 percent harvested, while native grass and other hay is 72 percent harvested.

Date: 7/19/05