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Weekend showers slow harvest
South Dakota Mid-week was dry enough to allow harvest progress, but the weekend showers slowed harvest during the week ending Oct. 14, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, Oct. 15. Statewide average of days suitable for fieldwork was 5.0 days. Major farm activities included harvesting row crops, seeding winter wheat, and working cattle and sheep for winter. A slow moving area of low pressure produced widespread rainfall for the second weekend in a row across much of the southeast part of the state. Nearly all stations reported some precipitation. Some precipitation amounts reached more than two inches for the week at Vermillion and Centerville. Many other locations received well above an inch. Some of these areas were in the southwest part of the state, helping with the continuing moisture issues in these locations. While the soil moisture recharge is welcome, this will slow down the harvest in the wettest areas again. Most of the week between the two weekend storms was dry across the state allowing more harvesting to continue. Precipitation received in many parts of the state will help recharge the soil moisture for winter wheat as well as the spring plantings. Topsoil moisture was rated at 78 percent adequate to surplus, the same as last week; however, the percent surplus went up from 5 percent to 10 percent. Subsoil moisture was bumped up 2 percentage points from last week to 70 percent adequate to surplus. Cool weather caused the average soil temperatures to drop 3 to 8º F. Mid-week dry weather allowed harvest to advance, but weekend showers have slowed harvest and dry-down progress considerably. There have been a few early reports of concern regarding a delayed harvest. Harvest of soybeans has reached 61 percent complete, but remains behind the five-year average of 69 percent. Corn harvest advanced to 36 percent complete, continuing ahead of the five-year average of 25 percent. Sorghum harvested for grain surpassed the 50 percent benchmark, now at 69 percent complete, well ahead of the normal 47 percent. Sunflower maturity is now rated at 85 percent, slightly ahead of the normal 83 percent. Sunflower harvest advanced to 27 percent, similar to the five-year average of 31 percent, ahead of last year's 16 percent. Winter wheat seeding is nearing completion. Seventy-two percent of winter wheat has emerged, equaling last year, but ahead of the five-year average of 64 percent. Livestock producers are active bringing feed and livestock closer to home for the winter months. Feed supplies are rated 89 percent in the adequate to surplus range, which is better than last year's 63 percent. Stock water supplies are rated at 71 percent adequate to surplus, also better than last year's 49 percent. As a result cattle and sheep conditions remain strong. Date: 10/17/07
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