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Released: February 28, 2000 -- 3:00 p. For February 2000 Volume 49 Issue 2

GENERAL
GENERAL: The month of February brought welcome snow and rain across the state, according to USDA's South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service. However, reports of low soil moisture continue, along with concern over its effect on the winter crops and spring planting. Livestock continue to do well. Major activities include beginning calving, prepar ing for spring planting, and purchasing supplies. This report is based on information from county extension educators, farm service agency county directors, and other reporters across the state.


CROPS
Poor snow cover, continued low soil moisture, and seasonal winds have farmers concerned for winter crops. The snow cover that existed during February coincided with cooler temperatures, but with no snow cover at month's end, the possibility for winter kill still exists. Continued above normal temperatures could have winter crops breaking dormancy early. Rains the week of the 21st im proved soil moisture slightly, helping winter crops and allowing limited spring fieldwork to begin. Average snow depth for the state at the end of February was 0.0 inch, compared to 1.6 inches last year. Winter wheat is rated 34 percent in good to excellent condition, compared to 44 percent last month, and 84 percent in 1999. Winter rye is 47 percent in good to excellent condition, compared to 79 in 1999. 




     CROP AND LIVESTOCK CONDITIONS
___________________________________________
     Item  V Poor  Poor  Fair  Good  Excel
__________________________________________
                      Percent
Winter Wht   1    24      41      33     1
Winter Rye   0    12      41      43     4
Cattle       0     0       4      68    28
Sheep        0     0       9      72    19
___________________________________________

LIVESTOCK AND FORAGE
Exceptionally warm, dry winter weather has continued during February allowing ranchers to graze cattle on bean stubble and corn stalks, as well as utilizing pastures. This has hay and roughage supplies readily accessible and in good shape: rated 1 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 34 percent surplus. Stock dams are down, but the ice is generally thin and water is readily accessible, with only 1 percent of supplies inac cessible. Stock water supplies are rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus. Mild temperatures and plentiful feed have 96 percent of cattle in good to excellent condition. Cattle deaths during February were 47 percent below normal and 53 percent normal. Calf deaths were reported 50 percent below normal and 50 percent normal. Sheep rated 91 percent in good to excellent condition, with 53 percent of the herd experiencing below normal deaths.

WEATHER
February began with little snow cover and ended in rain and warm conditions that left fields clear of snow. Snow fell several times during the month and there were rain showers and thunderstorms the week of the 21st. Temperatures fluctuated during the month but were mostly above normal and melted snow. Average snow depth for the state at the end of February was 0.0 inch. State wide, temperatures ranged from 5 to 13 degrees above normal. Average temperatures ranged from 24 degrees at Roscoe to 34 degrees at several locations. The lowest temperature was 9 degrees below zero at Britton and Mobridge. Armour and Chamberlain were the warmest, at 75 degrees. The most precipitation, 2.36 inches, was recorded at Lead. 



                 AIR                                      
               TEMPERATURE  PRECIPITATION    
STATION     HI  LO AVG DFN  TOTAL    DFN     
-------     --  --  --  --  -----   ----     
Buffalo     62   2  27  +5   0.37  +0.07    
Aberdeen    62  -5  27 +11   0.71  +0.24    
Leola       63  -8  26 +10   0.96  +0.48    
Mobridge    65  -9  28  +9   0.10  -0.32    
Roscoe      63  -8  24  +8   1.17  +0.77    
Britton     62  -9  27 +12   0.86  +0.44    
Sisseton    54  -7  25  +9   1.09  +0.55    
Webster     60  -6  25 +10   0.54  -0.02    
Watertown   65  -4  27 +11   0.54  -0.04    
Faith       66   0  29  +8   0.23  -0.25    
Lead        60   1  32  +7   2.36  +0.94    
Philip      70   6  32  +8   0.14  -0.23    
Rapid City  69   6  34  +8   0.86  +0.34    
Chamberlain 75   0  31  +8   0.38  +0.01    
Highmore    68  -3  30 +11   0.48  +0.02    
Huron       70  -6  32 +13   0.57  -0.11    
Pierre      69   1  33 +12   0.11  -0.37    
Brookings   69  -3  26 +11   0.81  +0.39    
Madison     68  -2  28 +12   0.83  +0.08    
Mitchell    73  -3  30 +11   1.49  +0.89    
Sioux_Falls 64   2  31 +12   1.04  +0.40    
Custer      57   8  32  +5   0.21  -0.35    
Hot_Springs 67   2  34  +5   0.49  +0.11    
Porcupine   69  -7  31  +7   0.65  +0.31    
Bonesteel   72   2  31 +10   0.92  +0.27    
Mission     70   6  32  +9   0.72  +0.25    
Murdo       69   4  31 +10   0.33  -0.09    
Winner      71   2  34  +8   0.67  +0.08    
Armour      75   1  34 +11   0.72  +0.07    
Vermillion  65   1  34 +11   1.20  +0.71    
Yankton     68   3  31 +10   1.65  +1.17     
             

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bar chart showing crop progress compared to the last 10 years

                                     
 
 
 
South Dakota county map showing topsoil moisture

Topsoil image in 'TIF' format for publishers
Subsoil image in 'TIF' format for publishers
 

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