|
|
Cool temps, precipitation slow crop progressSouth Dakota Cool weather and statewide precipitation during the week ending Sept. 7 slowed crop progress but helped ease some concerns of moisture deficiencies in cropland and pastures across the state, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, Sept. 8. There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork in the past week. Farm activities focused on the general care of livestock, the seeding of fall planted crops, the beginning of the silage harvest, and preparing machinery for the row crop harvest. Very cool temperatures were prevalent over the state during the week, according to the State Climate Office of South Dakota. All stations were well below average, ranging from 3 degrees below average at Roscoe to 14 degrees below average at Custer. At the extreme, most locations dipped into the 30s at least once during the week. Extension reports indicated localized frost occurrence with some minor crop damage early in the week. The temperatures for the week set back accumulation of GDDs when additional GDD accumulation is needed for crops to reach maturity. All reporting locations received some precipitation with an area from around Winner to the northeast corner of the state accumulating several inches. Most other accumulations were less than an inch. Webster reported the most at 4.08 inches. The lowest was Milesville at 0.23 inch. Statewide precipitation improved topsoil moisture ratings to 60 percent in the adequate to surplus categories, up 7 percentage points from last week. Subsoil moisture ratings remained the same as last week, at 62 percent in the adequate to surplus categories. Because of the extended dry conditions in the southeast part of the state, the U.S. Drought Monitor did introduce a D1 (Moderate Drought) area from around Brookings to the Yankton area. However, the area of the state classified as D0 (Abnormally Dry) or higher has dropped to 27.3 percent. The cool temperatures have dropped soil temperatures, generally in the 60s across the state. Cooler temperatures slowed the maturity of row crops somewhat, leaving producers concerned about the damage of future freezing temperatures. Corn advanced 27 percentage points in the dent stage over the last week, now estimated at 63 percent. The soybean crop is currently 26 percent in the dropping leaves stage, 14 percentage points higher than last week. Sunflowers are currently 34 percent in the bracts yellow stage, up 21 percentage points from last week. Sorghum is 67 percent coloring, a 13 percentage point jump from last week. Ten percent of the winter wheat has been seeded, but some producers are concerned about the current lack of soil moisture that is needed for the fall-planted crop. Range and pasture conditions have dropped 6 percentage points, to 63 percent in the good to excellent categories, due to concerns about hot, dry weather over the last month combined with near-frost temperatures over the past week. Feed supplies and stock water supplies saw little change and remained at a strong 94 and 86 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. Normal fall livestock activities are starting on schedule in South Dakota. 9/15/08 Date: 9/10/08
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
