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Farmers attempt to finish soybean plantingSouth Dakota Precipitation in northeast and north central South Dakota slowed planting progress and brought farm activities to a halt during the week ending June 15, and localized severe weather caused damage to crops, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, June 16. There were 3.5 days suitable for fieldwork in the past week. Farm activities focused on attempting to complete the planting of soybeans, moving cattle to pasture, wind-rowing alfalfa, application of fertilizer and chemicals, and general care of livestock. Heavy precipitation occurred across the state again during the week, according to the State Climate Office of South Dakota, but the amounts were confined mostly to north central and northeast South Dakota where conditions have been much drier since last fall. Much of the rest of the state received only light rains during the week. Sisseton was the wettest recorded location for the week at 2.54 inches. The storms also brought a fair amount of severe weather across the northern and eastern parts of the state with fairly widespread hail and strong wind reports. Nearly all stations across the state now are wetter than average since April 1 and Oct. 1. Unfortunately, the temperatures still did not rebound. Only the southeast was near average, and most of the rest of the state ranged from 4 to 11 F below average. This continues to push GDD accumulation well behind over the western part of the state where accumulation is around 10 days behind. Most of the east and southeast is a little better off with GDD accumulation at less than a week behind average. Statewide topsoil moisture in the surplus category decreased 9 percentage points to 26 percent. Only 1 percent of the state is rated short or very short for topsoil moisture. Subsoil moisture also decreased to 18 percent surplus, compared to 22 percent last week. Six percent of the state is rated short or very short for subsoil moisture. Cool temperatures during the week slowed the growth of crops, but the warm weekend brought much needed growing degree days. Soybeans were being replanted in the north central part of South Dakota. Corn emerged is now estimated at 92 percent complete, 6 percentage points behind the five-year average. The planting of soybeans increased to 87 percent complete and soybeans emerged has progressed to 60 percent. Small grains progressed to the heading stage, with barley estimated at 3 percent, oats estimated at 7 percent, and spring wheat estimated at 12 percent. Winter wheat was estimated as 2 percent in the turning color stage. Range and pasture conditions improved again this week, and were rated at 79 percent good to excellent, 4 percentage points higher than last week. Feed supplies were stable, currently rated at 92 percent adequate to surplus. The continued precipitation again raised stock water supplies which are now rated at 93 percent adequate to surplus, 4 percentage points higher than last week. Cattle condition remained stable at 89 percent good to excellent, and cattle moved to pasture is estimated at 95 percent. Sheep condition also remained mostly stable, this week rated at 87 percent good to excellent, only two points lower than last week. 6/23/08 Date: 6/18/08 Advertisement
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