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Row crops continue to progressSouth Dakota Dry weather in the state during the week ending Aug. 24 allowed for fieldwork progress that has left the small grain harvest nearly complete, but could lead to moisture stress issues in row crops without upcoming precipitation, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, Aug. 25. There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork in the past week. Farm activities focused on the small grain harvest, general care of livestock, preparing for the silage harvest, and the cutting of hay in some areas. Temperatures experienced a roller coaster-like week over the state as temperatures reached well into the 90s early in the week and over 100 F in the southwest on Aug. 21, according to the State Climate Office of South Dakota. But by the weekend temperatures had fallen into the 30s in several locations of the western part of the state. The highest temperatures reported were Oelrichs and Philip at 101 F. The lowest temperature reported was Porcupine at 35 F. This is the first time this summer that temperatures have fallen below the 40 F level. Overall the temperatures were generally above average roughly north of I-90 and below average south of I-90. Precipitation was very hard to come by statewide. No stations reported precipitation. Some precipitation did occur with hail reported in the Black Hills. Precipitation totals were below 50 percent of average in the southeast and south central areas over the last 30 days. The accumulated GDDs improved slightly, but were still running from a few days behind average in the southeast to over a week behind average in the north central. With recent below-average precipitation, statewide soil moisture ratings have been dropping. Topsoil moisture is currently 65 percent in the adequate to surplus categories, down 16 percentage points from last week. Subsoil moisture ratings dropped 9 percentage points to 70 percent in the adequate to surplus categories. However, the U.S. Drought Monitor continues to not rate any area in South Dakota higher than D0 (Abnormally Dry) and this area has decreased to 13.3 percent of the state. South Dakota row crops continued to progress over the last week with a 30 percentage point advance of corn in the dough stage, to 62 percent, and a 22 percentage point advance in soybeans setting pods, to 95 percent. Dry weather over much of the state allowed for the near completion of the small grain harvest with 97 percent of the oats complete and 91 percent of both barley and spring wheat complete. The sunflower crop is currently 15 percent in the ray flowers dry stage and 34 percent of sorghum acreage is coloring. Some reporters have commented about spraying for aphid and beetles in soybean fields and the need for rain to help finish the development of the row crops. Lack of precipitation caused range and pasture conditions to dip slightly, down 4 percentage points to 69 percent in the good to excellent categories. Feed supplies and stock water supplies remained strong at 95 and 87 percent adequate to surplus, respectively. Livestock conditions have remained stable with cattle rated 89 percent good to excellent and sheep rated 92 percent good to excellent. 9/1/08 Date: 8/27/08
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