Crop condition: Below normal temperatures limited snowmelt South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS – For the week ending March 31, 2013, below normal temperatures limited snowmelt and kept soil temperatures at or below freezing in many areas, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office. With only 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork, activities were limited to fertilizer applications to wheat, alfalfa, and pastures. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 34 percent very short, 38 percent short, 23 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 52 percent very short, 35 percent short, 11 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Other agricultural activities during the week included calving, lambing, and preparing for spring planting.

Weather Report: Precipitation and temperature data are now being provided through the High Plains Regional Climate Center.

Field Crops Report: South Dakota winter wheat condition was rated 20 percent very poor, 56 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 2 percent good, and 0 percent excellent. Twenty-six percent of the winter wheat acreage was reported lost to winter kill. Only one percent of spring wheat has been seeded, compared to 21 percent last year and 5 percent for the five-year average.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: As of March 31, calving was 39 percent complete, while lambing was 64 percent complete. Only 2 percent of cattle were reported as moved to pasture. Cattle and calf conditions were rated 4 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 64 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. Sheep and lamb conditions were rated 3 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 67 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. Pasture and range conditions were rated 34 percent very poor, 37 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 5 percent good, and 0 percent excellent. Hay and forage supplies were rated 25 percent very short, 31 percent short, 42 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Stock water supplies were rated 27 percent very short, 31 percent short, 39 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

North Dakota

FARGO, ND – For the week ending March 31, 2013, below normal temperatures limited snowmelt, with many areas of the state still experiencing average to above-average snow depths, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Dakota Field Office. Even though the additional precipitation was welcomed by producers in drought stricken areas, there is continued concern with the potential of spring flooding. Agricultural activities during the week included hauling grain to market when conditions allowed, calving and lambing, and preparing equipment for fieldwork.

With the continued snow cover in many areas, there were no days suitable for fieldwork again this week. Reports indicated that, on average, producers intended to begin fieldwork by April 23. The 2013 anticipated start date is well behind last year’s early starting date of April 3. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 8 percent very short, 22 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 12 percent very short, 33 percent short, 51 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: As of March 31, calving was 41 percent complete, while lambing was 58 percent complete, compared to 34 percent and 51 percent, respectively on March 24, 2013. Shearing was 80 percent complete, compared to 78 percent last week. Cattle and calf conditions were rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 66 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. Sheep and lamb conditions were rated 4 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 66 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. Hay and forage supplies were rated 3 percent very short, 18 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Pastures and ranges were rated 98 percent still dormant compared to 69 percent in 2012. Stock water supplies were rated 6 percent very short, 16 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – The latest survey of Nebraska farmers suggests the winter wheat crop may be in better shape.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture report for the week ending March 31 says 49 percent of the wheat was rated poor or very poor. The previous report said 61 percent of the wheat was rated poor or very poor.

The soil moisture data weren’t encouraging, however, as the statewide drought continues.

Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 37 percent very short, 43 percent short and 20 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 60 percent very short, 36 short and 4 percent adequate.

The survey says 31 percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, compared with 35 percent last year at this time and 16 percent on average.