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Released: January 31, 2000 -- 3:00 p.m
For January 2000
Volume 49 Issue 1
GENERAL
GENERAL: The month of January 2000 brought mild tem
peratures and limited snowfall to the state,
according to USDA's South Dakota Agricultural
Statistics Service. Warm, dry, winter weather
with open fields has been easy on livestock but
may be hard on winter crops. Producers have
been able to catch up on many projects that
have been delayed. Major activities include
selling calves, repairing machinery, hauling grain
to elevators, and financial and crop planning.
This report is based on information from county
extension educators, farm service agency
county directors, and other reporters across the
state.
CROPS
Scanty snow cover, low soil moisture, and
seasonal winds have farmers concerned for
crops. Reports indicate some snow cover
developed toward the end of the month, but
with most areas still open, there is the possibil
ity for winter kill. Dry, warm conditions going
into the new year and freeze/thaw cycles have
impacted winter crops. Average snow depth for
the state at the end of January was 1.3 inches,
compared to 3.2 inches last year. There are
reports of winter wheat and rye that never
emerged after seeding and some fields just
going into dormancy. The crops that are
emerged have not had adequate snow cover
during cold periods. Winds and drought condi
tions continue, further stressing crops. Winter
wheat is rated 44 percent in good to excellent
condition, compared to 86 percent last year.
Winter rye is rated 47 percent in good to excel
lent condition, compared to 80 percent in 1999.
CROP AND LIVESTOCK CONDITIONS
___________________________________________
Item V Poor Poor Fair Good Excel
__________________________________________
Percent
Winter Wht 2 11 43 38 6
Winter Rye 0 8 45 37 10
Cattle 0 0 5 66 29
Sheep 0 1 4 69 26
___________________________________________
LIVESTOCK AND FORAGE
Exceptionally warm, dry winter weather has
allowed ranchers to continue grazing cattle on
bean stubble and corn stalks, as well as utilizing
pastures. This has hay and roughage supplies
readily accessible and in good shape: 2 percent
short, 66 percent adequate, and 32 percent
surplus. Stock dams are down, but the ice is
thin and water is readily accessible, with sup
plies rated 2 percent very short, 9 percent short,
78 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus.
Mild temperatures and plentiful feed have 95
percent of cattle and sheep in mostly good to
excellent condition. Cattle deaths are 48 per
cent below normal and 52 percent normal. Calf
deaths were reported 43 percent below normal
and 56 percent normal, with only 1 percent
experiencing above normal deaths. Sheep and
lamb deaths were reported 38 percent below
normal and 62 percent normal.
WEATHER
January began with warm conditions and open
fields. Several light snows, and even a mid-
month shower, fell in parts of the state. Fluctu
ating temperatures and dry, windy conditions
prevailed across the state, melting snow cover
and increasing the threat of winter injury to
crops. Cooler, more seasonable, temperatures
after mid-month allowed later snows to persist
in some areas. Statewide, temperatures ranged
from 3 to 9 degrees above normal. Average
temperatures ranged from 13 degrees at
Sisseton to 30 degrees at Hot Springs. The
lowest temperature was 15 degrees below zero
at Philip and Watertown. Porcupine was the
warmest, at 64 degrees. The most precipita
tion, 0.84 inch, was recorded at Mitchell. Days
with precipitation ranged from 2 in several areas
to 14 at Lead.
AIR
TEMPERATURE PRECIPITATION
STATION HI LO AVG DFN TOTAL DFN
------- -- -- -- -- ----- ----
Buffalo 48 -7 23 +6 0.08 -0.21
Aberdeen 48 -11 16 +6 0.25 -0.12
Leola 48 -8 16 +6 0.16 -0.24
Mobridge 50 -7 20 +8 0.11 -0.23
Roscoe 46 -10 16 +5 0.25 -0.11
Britton 44 -12 15 +7 0.24 -0.19
Sisseton 43 -14 13 +3 0.37 -0.15
Webster 40 -10 14 +4 0.18 -0.38
Watertown 47 -15 16 +6 0.11 -0.43
Faith 52 -7 23 +7 0.28 +0.01
Lead 53 5 27 +4 1.19 -0.04
Philip 60 -15 25 +6 0.03 -0.23
Rapid City 63 3 28 +6 0.24 -0.15
Chamberlain 51 -7 24 +7 0.17 -0.05
Highmore 48 -14 21 +7 0.25 -0.06
Huron 53 -4 22 +9 0.19 -0.22
Pierre 56 -1 25 +9 0.29 -0.14
Brookings 48 -13 15 +6 0.29 -0.03
Madison 50 -7 18 +8 0.17 -0.35
Mitchell 55 -4 22 +8 0.84 +0.42
Sioux Falls 53 -10 20 +7 0.68 +0.17
Custer 53 0 27 +4 0.42 +0.06
Hot_Springs 59 3 30 +5 0.74 +0.45
Porcupine 64 -13 27 +7 1.11 +0.88
Bonesteel 57 -4 24 +8 0.26 -0.06
Mission 60 -10 25 +7 0.42 +0.13
Murdo 56 -7 24 +8 0.24 -0.09
Winner 59 1 28 +7 0.32 -0.18
Armour 52 -2 24 +7 0.58 +0.08
Vermillion 52 -3 24 +7 0.35 -0.03
Yankton 54 -3 23 +7 0.30 -0.08
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