Crop and Pasture Conditions

South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS – For the month of February 2014, below normal precipitation and temperatures persisted across most of the state, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 1 percent very short, 20 short, 78 adequate and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 1 percent very short, 13 short, 83 adequate and 3 surplus. Agricultural activities included caring for livestock, marketing grain, and preparing for spring planting season.

Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 4 percent very poor, 7 poor, 26 fair, 58 good and 5 excellent.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Cattle and calf conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 24 fair, 69 good and 5 excellent. Calving was 11 percent complete. Cattle and calf death losses rated 3 percent below normal, 94 percent normal, and 3 percent above normal. Sheep and lamb conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 20 fair, 75 good and 3 excellent. Lambing was 42 percent complete. Sheep and lamb death losses rated 4 percent below normal, 91 percent normal, and 5 percent above normal. Stock water supplies were 1 percent very short, 10 short, 86 adequate and 3 surplus. Hay and forage supplies were 0 percent very short, 5 short, 89 adequate and 6 surplus.

North Dakota

FARGO, N.D. – For the month of February 2014, average temperatures were well below normal. This combined with limited snow cover and high winds impacted winter wheat, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Livestock producers also felt the effects with increased feed requirements and some calf and lamb losses. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 1 percent very short, 7 short, 83 adequate and 9 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 1 percent very short, 5 short, 83 adequate and 11 surplus. Agricultural activities included caring for livestock and preparing equipment for spring.

Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 46 fair, 43 good, and 4 excellent.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Cattle and calf conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 25 fair, 65 good, and 5 excellent. Calving was 9 percent complete. Cattle and calf death losses rated 12 percent below normal, 83 percent normal, and 5 percent above normal. Sheep and lamb conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 2 poor, 23 fair, 66 good, and 8 excellent. Lambing was 16 percent complete. Sheep and lamb death losses rated 7 percent below normal, 91 percent normal, and 2 percent above normal. Stock water supplies rated 0 percent very short, 4 short, 86 adequate, and 10 surplus. Hay and forage supplies rated 1 percent very short, 6 short, 79 adequate, and 14 surplus.

Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. — For the month of February, temperatures 6-9 degrees below normal during the month were hard on livestock and created challenges for livestock producers, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Crop producer activities revolved around tax work and machinery preparations for the spring planting season. Grains were being moved to market and seed was being delivered for the upcoming planting season. Available soil moisture continues a concern going into spring. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 15 percent very short, 42 short, 43 adequate, and 0 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 16 percent very short, 39 short, 45 adequate, and 0 surplus.

Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 3 percent very poor, 15 poor, 39 fair, 36 good, and 7 excellent.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Stock water supplies rated 6 percent very short, 8 short, 86 adequate, and 0 surplus.

Hay and forage supplies rated 1 percent very short, 7 short, 88 adequate, and 4 surplus.

Cattle and calf condition rated 0 percent very poor, 4 poor, 19 fair, 70 good, and 7 excellent. Cattle and calf losses rated 5 percent below average, 91 average, and 4 above average. Percentage of cows calved since Jan 1 was 18 percent.

Sheep and lamb condition rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 23 fair, 73 good, and 4 excellent. Sheep and lamb losses rated 1 percent below average, 97 average, and 2 above average.