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Portions of state get significant rainfallSouth Dakota Rainfall and below-average temperatures during the week ending May 11, slowed spring planting and crop development across the state, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, May 12. There were 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork in the past week. Farm activities focused on seeding of small grains, preparing fields for corn planting, calving and lambing activities, and general care of livestock. Another spring storm brought more significant rainfall across portions of the state. Little precipitation fell as snow with this storm, but several locations received over 2 inches of precipitation during the week. East central South Dakota and areas north of the Black Hills received the heaviest precipitation. The areas of lightest precipitation were along the North Dakota and Nebraska borders. Temperatures were well below average again for the week, ranging from 1 to 7 F below average. Some severe weather occurred in the southeast part of the state following along the Nebraska border May 6. Reports were of strong winds (up to 72 mph) and hail (up to an inch diameter). Temperatures also fell well below freezing in the north central, central, and western parts of the state on Sunday morning. Some places reached the mid 20s for lows. Extension reports indicated some potential winter wheat damage. Soil temperatures at 4 inches are still in the upper 40s over most the state. Coldest soil temperatures are 44 F at Caputa in the wetter soil area. Oacoma and Pierre are the warmest, at 56 F. The central part of the state has been the driest recently, allowing soil temperatures to warm more quickly. Precipitation across much of the state continued to delay planting for many farmers, and cold soil temperatures have slowed crop development. Topsoil moisture is now rated at 97 percent adequate to surplus, up 3 percentage points from last week. Subsoil moisture is rated at 84 percent adequate to surplus, unchanged from last week. Planting of small grains continued, but progress is behind average. Barley is 72 percent seeded, up 12 percentage points from last week. Oats are 83 percent seeded, up 10 percentage points from last week. Spring wheat increased 11 percentage points, to 86 percent seeded. While many producers are still hoping to plant spring wheat, continued rains may force them to move on to corn. Winter wheat condition improved 6 percentage points to 69 percent good to excellent, due to the occurrence of rain in dryer growing areas. Corn planted is rated at 27 percent complete, which is well behind the previous year rating of 43 percent and the five-year average of 57 percent. Feed supplies are rated at 82 percent adequate to surplus. Stock water supplies, rated at 79 percent adequate to surplus, remain stable compared to last week's rating of 80 percent. Range and pasture conditions are rated at 59 percent good to excellent, up 5 percentage points from last week. Calving has progressed to 91 percent complete, with reports increased cattle deathloss as cold, wet conditions persist. The percent of cattle moved out to pasture has progressed to 40 percent; however, alfalfa and pasture progress are behind normal due to cool ground temperatures. Lambing progress has slowed and is estimated at 93 percent complete. 5/19/08 Date: 5/14/08
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