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Crop progress, spring field work moving alongSouth Dakota Warmer and drier weather allowed for the acceleration of spring fieldwork and crop progress in South Dakota during the week ending May 18, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, May 19. There were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork in the past week. Farm activities focused on spring fieldwork, moving cattle to pasture, application of fertilizer and chemicals and general care of livestock. South Dakota experienced a very quiet weather week with no severe weather and generally very light rainfall, according to the State Climate Office of South Dakota. Most of the state received less than a third of an inch of precipitation. The most precipitation was reported in the northern Black Hills in the Spearfish-Lead-Sturgis area, which received around 0.75 inch for the week. The quieter weather allowed for warming temperatures with nearly the whole state reaching the 80s, some locations for the first time this year. While temperatures were warmer, they continued to lag behind average. Only scattered stations around the state were above average for the week, the highest being recorded at Buffalo at 4 degrees F above average. The southeast part of the state was on the cooler side with the coldest being Centerville coming it at 4 degrees F below average. Soil temperatures at the four-inch depth continued to rebound with most of the state now at least in the 50s F. Oacoma recorded the warmest temperature at 59 F. Caputa and South Shore recorded the coolest at 49 F averaged over the week. Overall dryer conditions over the past week have allowed for the acceleration of seeding and crop progress for small grains and row crops, though all crop progress statistics remain behind last year and the five-year average. Barley has progressed to 48 percent emerged, up 31 percentage points from last week. Oats are 68 percent emerged, up 28 percentage points from last week. Spring wheat emerged has increased 37 percentage points, to 78 percent. Corn planted continues to remain over 20 percentage points behind the five-year average, this week estimated at 55 percent complete, compared to 68 percent last year and 77 percent for the five-year average. This week saw the first big increase in soybeans planted, now at 18 percent complete, up 16 percentage points from last week. Range and pasture conditions have remained stable, currently rated at 56 percent good to excellent. Cattle condition is rated at 87 percent good to excellent, 1 percentage point ahead of last year and 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Calving has progressed to 93 percent complete, and the percent of cattle moved to pasture has increased to 57 percent. Sheep condition is rated at 84 percent good to excellent, 5 percentage points behind last year, but 3 points ahead of the five-year average. 5/26/08 Date: 5/21/08
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