|
|
Hard freeze brings growing season to closeSouth Dakota A hard freeze across the state during the week ending Oct. 11 brought the growing season to a close, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, Oct. 13. South Dakota row-crop harvest remains behind schedule due to the wet conditions throughout the week. There were 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork in the past week. Some of the major farm activities included general care of livestock, seeding of winter wheat, and limited row crop harvest. The growing season of 2009 came to an abrupt end in the eastern part of the state as temperatures dropped into the 20s and some teens last week, according to the State Climate office of South Dakota. This date was a few days (southeast) to a couple weeks (northeast) later than average for a first hard freeze. These cold temperatures also brought the first snow to areas of the eastern part of the state. Statewide average temperatures for the week ranged from 12 to 24 F below average. The coldest observation in the state was a -3o F in Custer. The warmest was an early week 69 F at Vermillion. Nearly the whole state saw at least an inch of precipitation. Kennebec reported the highest amount at 1.88 inches. Centerville and Madison had the lowest reports at 0.93 inch. The rain continued the wet October where all stations in the state are above average with some stations 2-3 inches above average. Topsoil rated at 82 percent in the adequate to surplus range last week, compared to 79 percent in 2008 and 77 percent for the five-year average. Subsoil was rated at 61 percent in the adequate to surplus range, compared to 67 percent last year and 62 percent for the five-year average. Soil temperatures continued dropping quickly with averages for nearly all stations in the 40s for the week. Corn rated mature is at 84 percent, compared to 82 percent last year and 91 percent for the five-year average. Two percent of corn has been harvested for grain, compared to 10 percent last year and 19 percent for the five-year average. Ninety-three percent of the soybean crop is rated mature, compared to 93 percent in 2008 and 94 percent for the five-year average. Twenty-five percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, compared to 54 percent last year and 56 percent for the five-year average. Eighty-seven percent of the winter wheat seeding is complete, compared to 88 percent in 2008 and 91 percent for the five-year average. Seventy-two percent of the sunflowers are rated mature, compared to 53 percent last year and 69 percent for the five-year average. Seventy-two percent of sunflower crop is rated mature, compared to 53 percent last year. Two percent of the sunflower crop has been harvested, compared to 4 percent last year and 14 percent for the five-year average. Cattle rated 88 percent in the good to excellent condition, equal to last year, but ahead of the five-year average of 84 percent. Sheep rated 85 percent in the good to excellent condition, equal to the five-year average, but behind of last year's 92 percent. Range and pasture rated 61 percent in good to excellent condition, compared to 56 percent last year and 41 percent for the five-year average.
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 |
|
