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January brings modest precip, extreme tempsSouth Dakota The month of January brought extreme temperatures and modest precipitation, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, Feb. 4. The southeast part of the state received the most precipitation overall, and the northeast and north central areas received the least precipitation. The average snow depth for the state is 2.4 inches. Central and western parts of the state are short of moisture. Farm activities focused on spring planting intentions, financing, caring for livestock, marketing grain and repairing machinery. January was a month of extremes in temperature across the state, according to the State Climate Office of South Dakota. Both very warm and very cold temperatures occurred during the month. All of the state experienced very cold temperatures for several days with the majority of the state dipping below -10 F and many areas dropping below -20 F. In contrast, much of the state also experienced temperatures above 50 F. During January, average temperatures were within 2 F of normal throughout the whole state with the eastern quarter and areas in and adjacent to the Black Hills below average and the rest of the state above average. Current snow cover is similar to December with most of the cover in the east and far west and some along the southern border with Nebraska. Snow cover was minimal or nonexistent in some of the winter wheat areas during the periods of extremely cold temperatures, introducing the possibility of damage to these crops. Overall precipitation totals were relatively modest. Most locations received little precipitation, but a few locations reported more than half of an inch for the month. While above average for January, this light moisture will do little to change ongoing drought conditions. Soil temperatures for Jan. 31 were generally in the 20s. The lowest four-inch soil temperature was recorded in Beresford at 18 F, and the highest was recorded in Redfield, at 33 F. The U.S. Drought Monitor continues to classify the western third of the state in moderate to severe drought conditions. Producers in central and western South Dakota continue to be concerned about the lack of snow cover protection for the winter wheat crop. Winter wheat condition is rated as 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 52 percent good and 8 percent excellent, with snow cover rated at 81 percent poor, 18 percent adequate and 1 percent excellent. Alfalfa snow cover is rated as 57 percent poor, 39 percent adequate and 4 percent excellent. The extended grazing into December, in some parts of the state, helped keep feed supplies plentiful throughout January. Feed supplies are rated at 92 percent adequate to surplus, up 29 percentage points from last year. Stock water supplies are rated 74 percent adequate to surplus, up 18 percentage points from last year. Cattle conditions are rated 88 percent good to excellent, with calf deaths from the fall crop rated at 14 percent below average, 85 percent average and 1 percent above average. Sheep conditions are rated 90 percent good to excellent, with lamb deaths from the fall crop rated at 8 percent below average and 92 percent average. 2/11/08 Date: 2/5/08
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