South Dakota

With temperatures during the week ending May 22 ranging from lows in the 30s to highs in the 90s in some areas, row crop emergence has fallen behind last year's progress throughout the state, according to the South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, May 23.

Precipitation was received across the majority of the state, with topsoil moisture levels improving significantly. Major farm activities included machinery repair and maintenance, planting of row crops, spring tillage, fertilizing and applying herbicides, fixing fence, and tending to livestock. Statewide there were 4.1 days reported suitable for fieldwork.

With precipitation received across the majority of the state, topsoil moisture levels showed significant improvement, rising from 89 percent adequate to surplus the previous week to 93 percent adequate to surplus last week. Subsoil moisture levels remained at 76 percent adequate to surplus last week. Soil temperatures from reporting stations averaged 1.9 degrees above normal, at 60.1 degrees.

Warm temperatures improved the condition of small grains, but progress of row crops is behind last year. Ninety-one percent of the corn has been planted while only 32 percent has emerged, far below last year's emergence rate of 57 percent. Soybeans are 36 percent planted, behind last year's 51 percent and the five-year average of 45 percent. Only 3 percent of the soybean acres have emerged. Advancement was made in the planting of sorghum as it rose to 18 percent planted, while sunflower is now 10 percent planted. Spring Wheat condition jumped from 61 percent good to excellent the previous week, to 71 percent good to excellent. Sixty-four percent of the winter Wheat has progressed to the boot stage and 1 percent is headed, behind last year and the five-year average.

Cattle and sheep conditions remain predominately in good to excellent condition. Warm temperatures and scattered precipitation throughout the state improved pasture and range conditions, as well. Stock water supplies are 62 percent adequate to surplus, well above last year's 37 percent. Feed supplies, at 83 percent adequate to surplus, are also well above last year's average of 58 percent. Calving and lambing are nearly complete at 95 and 96 percent, respectively. Sixty-six percent of cattle have been moved to pasture, ahead of last year's 63 percent.

Date: 5/25/05

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