|
|
Planting row crops continuesSouth Dakota Continued precipitation characterized during the week ending June 3 in South Dakota, resulting in 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, June 4. Major farm activities included planting row crops, post-emergence spraying, and moving cattle to pasture. An upper air low pressure system trekked slowly across South Dakota last week bringing extensive cloudiness and leading to widespread rainfall over the whole state, according to the State Climate Office of South Dakota. Amounts exceeded an inch in all but parts of the southwest quarter of the state. Huron, Sisseton, Roscoe and Aberdeen all had 3 inches or more of precipitation in the last week. Spearfish recorded over 4 inches along with areas of the northern Black Hills where flooding was a problem during the week. Precipitation deficits since April 1 are now contained mainly in an area from Meade and Haakon County around the southern end of the Black Hills. Precipitation has been well above average across much of the eastern part of the state with greater than 4 inches above average precipitation since April 1 in the northeast corner of the state. While growing degree days (GDD) continue to progress, the slightly cooler than average temperatures slowed the GDD accumulation through the week. The combined rain and cloud cover cooled temperatures below average in all but a few stations in the eastern quarter of the state from Watertown and Sisseton down to Mitchell and Sioux Falls. But GDD accumulation is anywhere from 2 to 10 days above average over the state. More precipitation this week resulted in most of the state's topsoil in the adequate to surplus moisture rating. Only 3 percent of the topsoil was rated as short to very short of moisture. Also, subsoil moisture has only 12 percent rated as short to very short. This precipitation has helped the western third of the state get closer to normal moisture conditions. Planting of row crops made modest advances this week. corn planting is virtually complete, at 98 percent which is the same as the five-year average. Soybean and sunflower planting lag behind normal. Planting of soybeans is 76 percent complete compared to 88 percent last year and 82 percent normally. Sunflower planting is 21 percent complete behind the 47 percent last year and 36 percent normally planted. The cool weather has benefited the progress of the small grains. Winter wheat advanced quickly to 66 percent headed, ahead of the five-year average of 39 percent. There are some reports of weeds and insects becoming a concern, due to the fact that many fields are too wet to spray. The soil moisture has improved alfalfa as well as range and pasture conditions. Alfalfa condition improved from 74 percent good to excellent last week to 81 percent this week. Similarly, range and pasture condition improved from 62 percent to 74 percent good to excellent. Spring calving is virtually complete, while 89 percent of the cattle have been moved to pasture. Date: 6/6/07
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2012. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
