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Weather helps crop progressSouth Dakota Heat and significant precipitation during the week ending July 20 helped facilitate crop development throughout South Dakota, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, July 21. There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork in the past week. Farm activities focused on the second cutting of hay, application of fertilizer and chemicals, general care of livestock, and for the harvest of small grains. Average temperatures were at or slightly above average for most parts of the state with highs in the 90s. The central part of the state was a couple of degrees short of the 100 F mark with Kennebec, Murdo, and Pierre reporting 98 F. While this helped GDD accumulation, GDDs since April 1 continue to remain below average. GDDs for many stations across the state remain 100 or more below average. McIntosh, Faith, and Winner were more than 240 GDDs below average. Almost all parts of the state received some moisture. Most parts of the state received at least 1 inch of precipitation. Faulkton, Milesville, Aberdeen, and Timber Lake received precipitation in excess of 3 inches. Precipitation helped the Aberdeen area, but it still remains more than 1 inch below average, whereas Milesville is 9.5 inches above average since April 1. An isolated and brief tornado was reported near Polo in Hand County just south east of Faulkton July 17. Gusts of up to 60 mph and pea sized hail caused some minor crop damage in that area. Multiple funnel clouds were reported in Faulk County. Hail and flash flooding were reported July 20 in Clay County and Union County, respectively. Last week's precipitation increased topsoil moisture ratings in the state, which are now estimated at 72 percent adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture remained fairly steady at 79 percent adequate to surplus. Heat and precipitation have helped further field crop development. The average height of corn is currently estimated at 49 inches, 12 inches behind the five-year average. Corn was beginning to silk, with 2 percent in the silk stage. Soybeans advanced to 50 percent in the blooming stage and 5 percent setting pods. Winter wheat is 36 percent ripe, 49 percentage points behind the five-year average. Four percent of winter wheat was harvested. There were reports of some hail and wind damage from the weekend storms, but it is too early for farmers to determine the extent of any damage to row crops or small grains. The second cutting of alfalfa is well underway, estimated at 34 percent complete. Range and pasture conditions, estimated at 79 percent in the good to excellent categories, declined slightly from last week. Feed supplies and stock water supplies were estimated at 97 and 86 percent adequate to surplus, respectively. There were some reports of livestock stress from heat and humidity, but no other reports of any major livestock problems. Cattle conditions and sheep conditions were both rated at 94 percent good to excellent. 7/28/08 Date: 7/22/08
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