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Harvest progress behind scheduleSouth Dakota Harvest progress remains behind schedule across South Dakota due to the slow dry-down of row crops during the week ending Oct. 19, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, Oct. 20. There were 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork in the past week. Farm activities focused on general care of livestock, selling calves, moving livestock to home pastures, seeding winter wheat, and the row crop harvest. South Dakota experienced a generally cool and dry week last week with the first freeze over much of the eastern part of the state, according to the State Climate Office of South Dakota. Oct. 16 brought temperatures below 28 F for the first time, generally bringing an end to the growing season. This date was a somewhat later freeze than usual for many areas. The later than normal frost was welcomed by many producers as it allowed crops more time to mature in the field. Nearly the whole state was cooler than average for the week with temperatures mostly 1 to 4 F below average. Centerville and Vermillion reported the most precipitation for the week at 0.89 inch. Several other stations reported over half an inch. Others reported much lighter amounts with 14 stations having no precipitation. The lighter precipitation was also a positive in allowing harvesting after the heavier rains the previous week. Soil temperatures are responding to the cooler conditions as only about the southern half of the state remains above 50 F at the 4 inch depth. The highest soil temperature was recorded in Beresford and Pierre at 52 F and the lowest was recorded in Caputa at 43 F. Topsoil moisture ratings continued to improve with 88 percent rated adequate to surplus, 21 percentage points higher than the five-year average. Subsoil moisture ratings are now estimated at 76 percent adequate to surplus, 22 percentage points higher than the five-year average. High moisture in row crops has slowed down harvest progress across South Dakota. Corn is 14 percent harvested, only 3 percentage points ahead of last week and 20 percentage points behind the five-year average. The soybean harvest is 76 percent complete, 7 percentage points behind the five-year average. Sorghum is 16 percent harvested and sunflowers are 10 percent harvested. Winter wheat is estimated at 93 percent seeded, with some producers still hoping to plant wheat after the row crop harvest. The winter wheat crop is 71 percent emerged. Range and pasture conditions continue to remain stable, with 59 percent rated in the good or excellent categories, up 4 percentage points from last week. Feed supplies increased slightly, now estimated at 95 percent adequate to surplus. Stock water supplies increased 5 percentage points in the adequate and surplus categories, this week rated at 85 percent. Livestock conditions remain strong, with cattle rated 88 percent good to excellent and sheep rated 93 percent good to excellent. Several producers reported they were optimistic about winter feed supplies due to the late frost allowing for later grazing of pasture and crop residue. 10/27/08 Date: 10/22/08
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