Most harvests complete

South Dakota

Statewide, average temperatures during the week ending Nov. 19 were nearly normal, and much of the state received at least a trace of precipitation; however, with 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork, farmers were able to continue harvesting the remaining crops, according to the South Dakota Field Office, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nov. 20.

Nearly all the corn, sorghum and sunflower crops have been harvested. Much of the western part of the state remains short of moisture. Other farm activities focused on preparing equipment and livestock for winter.

Scattered snow and rain throughout much of the state last week left noteworthy moisture in a few places, with Winner receiving the most, at 0.6 inch. Average temperatures were approximately normal for this time of year, ranging from 4 degrees below to 6 degrees above normal. The high temperature in the state last week was 61 degrees, reported in Rapid City, while Aberdeen had the week's low, at 7 degrees.

With air temperatures returning to normal last week, soil temperatures dropped to the mid to upper 30s. The scattered precipitation last week did little to help topsoil and subsoil moisture levels. Topsoil moisture levels improved from 53 percent rated adequate to surplus last week to 57 percent this week. Subsoil moisture levels held steady, with a rating of 42 percent adequate to surplus.

Harvest continued to progress this week despite some scattered precipitation. Corn harvested for grain advanced to 97 percent complete, behind last year's 99 percent, but ahead of the five-year average, at 93 percent. Sorghum harvest is nearly complete at 98 percent complete, the same as the five-year average. The sunflower harvest progressed to 96 percent, which surpassed the five-year average of 95 percent complete, but is still behind last year's 99 percent.

Feed supplies improved from 57 percent adequate to surplus the previous week to 64 percent this week. Stock water supplies showed a slight improvement from 48 percent adequate to surplus the previous week to 50 percent this week. Cattle conditions improved slightly, rated at 79 percent good to excellent this week compared to the previous week's 75 percent. Sheep conditions continue to be stable, with little change week to week.

Date: 11/21/06

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