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Harvest advances with dry weather, frost
South Dakota Another dry week with frost allowed harvest to advance during the week ending Nov. 4, and statewide average of days suitable for fieldwork was 6.5 days, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, Nov. 5. Major farm activities included moving livestock to row crop stubble and harvesting row crops. Another quiet weather week across South Dakota resulted in only a few light showers north and east of the Black Hills and in the Aberdeen area, according to the State Climate Office of South Dakota. Reported totals were less than 0.2 of an inch. The limited precipitation again allowed drying of surface soils for further progression on the harvest. Above average temperatures and windy conditions continued to help dry field conditions across the whole state. Despite the recent dryness, October overall resulted in 150 to 300 percent of average precipitation over an area south of U.S. Highway 12 and east of a Gettysburg to Martin line. Much of the state outside of this area was below average for the month of October. At least two stations (Centerville and Yankton) unofficially have set record October precipitation totals. Temperatures were 1 to 5 F above average for the month. Soil temperatures at 4-inch depth have fallen to 50 F or below over the whole state and should continue downward for the rest of the fall. October precipitation has boosted soil moisture conditions for winter wheat as well as recharged the soil to benefit the spring growing season. Topsoil moisture is rated at 88 percent adequate to surplus, while subsoil moisture is rated at 78 percent. Areas rated in the short to very short categories are mainly in the western third of the state. Row crop harvest advanced quickly as conditions remain dry, with some overnight frost. Harvest of soybeans is nearing completion at 95 percent complete, which is almost caught up to the five-year average of 98 percent. Corn harvest is now rated at 72 percent complete placing it back on schedule, only slightly behind last year's 74 percent, but ahead of the five-year average of 69 percent. Sorghum harvest is rated at 91 percent complete, ahead of both last year's 89 percent and the normal of 87 percent. Sunflower harvest rounds out the row crops with harvest rated at 67 percent, an advancement of 25 percentage points over last week. However, it remains behind the normal of 75 percent. Winter wheat is nearly all emerged, with a rating of 97 percent. Some reporters say that the wetter areas may not be harvested until the ground is frozen. Cattle condition was rated as 91 percent good to excellent. Also, sheep were rated at 92 percent good to excellent. Many producers are moving cattle and feed supplies in preparation for winter. Date: 11/7/07
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