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Mild weather helps out field workSouth Dakota Mild weather throughout the state during the week ending June 24 helped producers make progress in row crop planting and hay harvesting, while some areas still need a few warm, rain-free days to dry things out, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, June 25. Statewide, farmers and ranchers had 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Major farm activities included planting row crops, post-emergence spraying, cultivating, and haying. Temperatures continued to rise, as high pressure influenced the state and thunderstorms became less frequent. One moved from Corson County to Douglas County early June 21, bringing large hail up to softball-size and confirmed severe crop damage along with it. Crop and property damage was confirmed with this storm. Other than the precipitation associated with this event and a couple other storm events on the same day, most of the state received less than a half inch of precipitation. The highest precipitation reported was 1.91 inches at Armour; the lowest, 0.01 inch at Spearfish. While conditions have improved overall, several stations in the west and southeast are still running below average on precipitation since April 1. Mostly western stations are behind since October 1. Short-term moisture deficits are showing up in the eastern edge of the state, where precipitation totals over the last 30 days have been up to an inch below average. Temperatures were much warmer than average, overall, with temperatures 1 to 2 degrees F above average in the southeast to 7 F above average in Rapid City. These temperatures were reaching stressful conditions across the western part of the state as highs reached well into the 90s F and over 100 F in Newell, Spearfish, and Oelrichs. The topsoil moisture rating fell slightly last week, to 94 percent adequate to surplus, while the subsoil moisture rating held steady, at 90 percent adequate to surplus. Statewide, soil moisture ratings remain significantly higher than last year at this time, yet the southwest corner of the state continues to be dry. While soybean and sorghum planting near completion, sunflower planting continues to lag behind last year and the five-year average. Sunflower planting is rated at 80 percent complete, behind the five-year average of 92 percent. corn advanced to an average height of 25 inches, with 92 percent of the corn crop sprayed or cultivated once and 34 percent of the crop sprayed or cultivated twice. Winter wheat is rated at 58 percent turning color, behind last year's development, yet ahead of the five-year average. The spring small grains are advancing through the boot stage, with barley, oats, and spring wheat headed rated at 44 percent, 66 percent, and 64 percent respectively. While some areas need more rain-free days to help dry the hay, the first cutting of alfalfa advanced to 75 percent harvested, while other hay is rated at 26 percent harvested. The majority of alfalfa, range and pasture, cattle, and sheep remain rated in good to excellent conditions. Date: 6/27/07
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