nd-crop-weather STATE NORTH DAKOTA CROP, LIVESTOCK & WEATHER REPORT RELEASE DATE, MONTH ENDING DATE: Released: March 27, 2006 For Month Ending: March 26, 2006 ISSUE ND-CW1206 AGRICULTURAL SUMMARY General: Temperatures during March were slightly below normal, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Dakota Field Office. Snow melted across the state, while the largest quantities remained in the northeast. Some reporters noted moisture is needed before planting. Producers were preparing machinery and lining up inputs for spring fieldwork. Statewide, average snow depth was 2.3 inches on March 26 compared with 0.9 inch last year. The northeast and east central districts reported the most snow cover with 8.9 and 3.1 inches, respectively. Conversely, the northwest district reported only 0.1 inch of snow cover, and 0.5 inch was reported in the southeast district. Road conditions were generally dry; however, recent moisture and thawing have made some roads muddy. County and secondary roads were rated 95 percent open, 4 difficult and 1 closed to travel. Road conditions were 2 percent drifted, 2 icy, 24 muddy and 72 dry. FIELD CROPS REPORT Crops: The statewide average starting date for fieldwork is expected to be April 18, 4 days later than last year. The expected starting date ranged from April 10 in the south central district to April 28 in the northeast district. Movement of grain was slowed by road conditions and availability of railcars. LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE REPORT Favorable weather allowed calving and lambing to progress with some difficulties reported. Calving, at 36 percent, and lambing, at 52 percent, were in full swing, but behind last year. Shearing moved closer to completion at 73 percent. Cow conditions were rated 2 percent poor, 11 fair, 68 good and 19 excellent. Calf conditions were rated 1 percent poor, 11 fair, 72 good and 16 excellent. Sheep conditions were rated 2 percent poor, 7 fair, 72 good and 19 excellent. Lamb conditions were rated 1 percent poor, 9 fair, 72 good and 18 excellent. Hay and forage supplies were rated 4 percent short, 86 adequate and 10 surplus compared with last year's rating of 2 percent very short, 15 short, 77 adequate and 6 surplus. Grain and concentrate supplies were 2 percent short, 89 adequate and 9 surplus. Ninety-nine percent of the pastures and ranges were dormant. WEATHER SUMMARY Weather: Overall, March 2006 was colder than average for the majority of the state. The coldest temperatures were found across the northeastern areas of the state where the heaviest snow pack exists. The southwestern part of the state also saw below average temperatures. Southeastern sections of the state saw the warmest temperatures for the month, with average monthly temperatures a few degrees above the seasonal normals. Temperatures were seasonal through March 12 for the majority of the state. Cold air moved in around March 13 and kept temperatures below average through March 24. Temperatures finally rebounded to seasonal averages by March 25. March was also a dry month for the state. Many areas saw below average precipitation and snowfall. Areas in the western part of the state saw the driest conditions and recorded deficits of between 0.25 and 0.50 inch. Areas in the east saw the wettest conditions in the state, but still remained below average for precipitation. Outlook, April: The month of April looks to start off with temperatures close to or above seasonal normals for many areas. A shift in the upper air wind pattern will result in mild temperatures and little or no precipitation for the first 10 days of the month. Another change in the pattern may result in increased chances for precipitation towards the middle and end of the month. Overall, the state has a good chance of seeing above average precipitation for the month of April, especially in the eastern portions of the state. Temperatures look to be near seasonal normals for the entire state. WEATHER INFORMATION TABLE TEMPERATURE, March 1-26, 2006 District & Temperature Stations High Low Average Depart/Norm 1/ Degrees F Degrees F Degrees F Degrees F NORTHWEST NA NA NA NA Bowbells 50 1 24 -5 Williston 47 5 27 -1 Mohall 51 4 25 0 Minot 53 8 27 2 NORTH CENTRAL NA NA NA NA Baker 42 4 23 1 Bottineau 42 5 24 2 Rugby 47 7 24 0 NORTHEAST NA NA NA NA Cando 37 -1 21 -4 Cavalier 38 -6 21 -3 Forest River 40 -8 24 -1 Grand Forks 38 -12 21 -3 Langdon 35 -11 19 -3 St. Thomas 38 -12 19 -5 WEST CENTRAL NA NA NA NA Hazen 50 0 28 1 Turtle Lake 51 4 27 -1 Watford City 43 3 27 -5 CENTRAL NA NA NA NA Carrington 44 8 26 2 Harvey 51 7 26 -1 Jamestown 49 4 27 -1 Robinson 50 6 27 1 Streeter 49 2 27 -1 EAST CENTRAL NA NA NA NA Dazey 41 7 25 -1 Fargo 46 4 25 -1 Hillsboro 44 -6 22 -4 SOUTHWEST NA NA NA NA Beach 49 8 27 -3 Bowman 52 3 27 -2 Dickinson 50 9 28 -2 Hettinger 54 -1 27 -4 SOUTH CENTRAL NA NA NA NA Mandan 54 5 29 1 Linton 54 9 30 1 SOUTHEAST NA NA NA NA Edgeley 51 9 29 2 Oakes 53 5 28 2 Wyndmere 47 3 27 -2 1/ Normal is the 1971-2000 average. NA=Not Available. Weather data collected from NDAWN stations and compiled by UND Aerospace Regional Weather Information Center. CONTACT INFORMATION USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, North Dakota Field Office Cooperating with: NDSU Extension Service, Farm Service Agency, ND Ag Weather Network (NDAWN) and UND Aerospace Regional Weather Information Center FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: David Knopf, Director USDA, NASS, North Dakota Field Office NDSU, IACC Bldg., Room 448 P.O. Box 3166 Fargo, ND 58108-3166 Telephone: (701) 239-5306 E-Mail: nass-nd@nass.usda.gov Internet: http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/North_Dakota/