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Winter storms cause delays, difficultiesSouth Dakota Another major winter storm during the week ending April 13 has caused delays for spring fieldwork and difficulties for caring of livestock, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, April 14. There were 0.9 days suitable for fieldwork in the past week. Farm activities focused on preparing equipment for spring fieldwork, calving and lambing activities, and in limited areas, the planting of small grains. The fifth major winter storm in the last month dropped heavy snow mainly in the northeast and south central parts of the state and around the Black Hills, according to the State Climate Office of South Dakota. Stations in each of these areas reported over 10 inches of snow. Nearly all of the state received at least a third of an inch of precipitation with several stations reporting over an inch of liquid in combinations of rain and snow. Individual Extension reports indicate that in many places the snow is melting and going directly into soil moisture. Some wetter areas in the east are reporting some water in fields. Temperatures for the week were well below average, ranging from 2 to 13 degrees Fahrenheit below average for the week. The colder temperatures and additional soil moisture have kept soil temperatures from making much progress in the last week. The storms have improved the short term moisture deficits listed in the most recent drought monitor map. Longer term deficits still remain in the drier areas of the west with the more severe drought monitor designations. Cooler temperatures and additional snow cover caused soil temperatures across the state to stay steady or decrease. The lowest 4-inch soil temperature was recorded in Aberdeen and Redfield at 32 F, and the highest was recorded in Oacoma, at 45 F. Fieldwork and crop progress made minimal progress over the last week due to snowy and rainy conditions that covered much of the state. The above average precipitation led to an increase in the area rated as adequate to surplus topsoil moisture, now at 90 percent, up 7 percentage points from last week. Subsoil moisture is rated 80 percent adequate to surplus, up 9 percentage points from last week. Winter wheat breaking dormancy advanced 27 percentage points from last week, now up to 72 percent. There have been some concerns from reports about winterkill in the winter wheat crop, but there have also been several reports that the winter wheat crop has survived the winter in good condition. Winter wheat conditions are now rated at 58 percent good to excellent, compared to 52 percent last week. Barley, oats, and spring wheat seedings continue to commence, but with minimal progress. Feed supplies remain stable, this week rated at 86 percent good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from last week. Recent winter storms appear to have had little effect on stock water supplies, now rated at 77 percent good to excellent, up 3 percentage points from last week. Range and pasture conditions are currently rated at 45 percent good to excellent, 13 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Recent cool and muddy conditions have made operations difficult for producers dealing with calving and lambing this spring. Calving has progressed to 58 percent complete and calf death losses are rated at 82 percent average to above average, nine percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Only 5 percent of cattle have been moved out to pasture, compared to 13 percent last year and 11 percent for the five-year average. Lambing is estimated at 77 percent complete and sheep and lamb death losses are rated at 71 percent average or above average, 11 percentage points lower than last week and 6 percentage points lower than the five-year average. 4/21/08 Date: 4/16/08
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