CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITIONS South Dakota

For the week ending April 7, 2013, below normal temperatures across the eastern part of the state limited fieldwork in most areas, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office. Average snow depth across the state was reported at less than an inch. With an average 3.1 days suitable for fieldwork across the state, small grain seeding was underway, but is still well behind last year. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 28 percent very short, 38 percent short, 32 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 46 percent very short, 38 percent short, 15 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Major agricultural activities during the week included, caring for livestock and preparing for spring planting.

Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 47 percent very poor, 28 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 3 percent good, and 0 percent excellent. Three percent of spring wheat has been seeded, compared to 48 percent last year and 14 percent average. Oats seeding rated 12 percent complete, behind 45 percent last year, but near 11 percent average. Only 1 percent of barley has been seeded, behind 24 percent last year and 7 percent average.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Calving was 50 percent complete and lambing 73 percent complete. Only 3 percent of cattle were reported as moved to pasture. Cattle and calf conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 65 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. Sheep and lamb conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 70 percent good, and 12 percent excellent. Pasture and range conditions rated 33 percent very poor, 33 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 7 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Hay and forage supplies were 26 percent very short, 31 percent short, 42 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Stock water supplies rated 30 percent very short, 31 percent short, 37 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency, SDSU Extension Service and other reporters across the state.

Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at: http://tinyurl.com/cw3wymh

Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps at: http://tinyurl.com/bttnba6

Access the US Drought Monitor at:

http://tinyurl.com/csg63yl

North Dakota

FARGO, ND – For the week ending April 7, 2013, rainfall over the weekend reduced snow piles and opened up some fields, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Dakota Field Office. However, many areas in the northern and eastern parts of the state are still experiencing average to above-average snow depths, with 5.3 inches reported across the state.

Temperatures have been below normal with the exception of the southwest, which has been 3 to 6 degrees above normal. Activities during the week included some fertilizer applications in the south central portion of the state and some planting of peas in the southwest. Other activities include hauling grain to market, calving and lambing, and preparing equipment for fieldwork.

With the continued snow cover in many areas, there was only one day suitable for fieldwork last week. Reports indicated that, on average, producers intended to begin fieldwork by April 24. The 2013 small grain seeding has not begun and is well behind last year’s early progress and also behind the 5 year average.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 25 percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 10 percent very short, 40 percent short, 47 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Calving was 56 percent complete, while lambing was 70 percent complete, and shearing 83 percent complete. Cattle and calf conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 68 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Sheep and lamb conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 68 percent good, and 9 percent excellent.

Hay and forage supplies rated 3 percent very short, 21 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Stock water supplies were 3 percent very short, 14 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

Minnesota

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Minnesota farmers are getting off to a slow start because of the persistent winter.

It also continues to be very dry across the state. These conditions have limited field work compared with last year. The lingering heavy snow is slowly melting across the northern parts of the state. Many of the grassy areas in other parts are still brown. Farm activities included hauling manure, building maintenance and construction.

For the week ending April 7, 2013, only 0.2 days were rated suitable for fieldwork statewide. Producers anticipate full scale fieldwork to begin on April 26th. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 10 percent very short, 30 percent short, 47 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 28 percent very short, 46 percent short, 23 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Pasture conditions were rated 29 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 32 percent fair and 24 percent good.

Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska’s winter wheat crop has started to turn green with the warm weather, but the soil remains exceptionally dry because of the drought.

The U.S. Agriculture Department said Monday that the state’s pastures haven’t started growing much this spring because of the dry conditions.

About 64 percent of the state’s hay and forage supplies rated short or very short.

Roughly 77 percent of the state’s topsoil moisture rated short or very short. And 95 percent of the subsoil rates short or very short.

About 11 percent of Nebraska’s wheat crop rated in good or excellent condition.