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Released: January 5, 1998 -- 3:00 p.m.
For December 1997
Volume 46 Issue 38
GENERAL
The month of December proved to be, for the most part,
very mild and dry. Livestock are in good condition due to
the lack of harsh winter conditions. Producers have not
used their feed stocks as much as usual for the winter,
taking advantage of open grazing and corn field residue.
Winter crops, though, are exposed to risk, due to scant
snow cover. One of the activities reported for the month
was the broadcasting of fertilizer. Statewide, as of the
end of December, the average snow depth was 0 inch to
a trace.
This report is based on information from county agents
around the state.
CROPS
Snow cover was minimal for the month of December.
There is concern exposed winter wheat and rye crops will
be hurt, due to lack of snow cover, if more frigid temperatures
prevail. As of the end of December, 94 percent of
the alfalfa acreage was under poor snow cover, 5 percent
was under adequate snow cover, and 1 percent was
under excellent snow cover. One hundred percent of the
winter wheat acreage was under poor snow cover.
Ninety-one percent of the winter rye acreage was under
poor snow cover and 9 percent was under adequate
snow cover. There were some reports of winter wheat green-up
in some areas, with concern of the crop breaking dormancy. Also,
with lack of snow cover and the greater than usual amount of
fall tillage done, there is a risk of soil erosion from high
winds.
CROP AND LIVESTOCK CONDITIONS
ITEM V POOR POOR FAIR GOOD EXCEL
Percent
Winter Wht 0 1 8 75 16
Winter Rye 0 0 18 79 3
Cattle 0 0 5 71 24
Sheep 0 0 4 73 23
LIVESTOCK AND FORAGE
Livestock are in good to excellent condition, as the
weather conditions for December were quite favorable.
Death losses for calves and lambs from the fall crop were
low to normal. Calf deaths were rated 22 percent below
average and 78 percent normal. Lamb deaths were rated
15 percent below average and 85 percent normal. Feed
supplies were rated 1 percent short, 88 percent adequate, and 11
percent surplus. Stock water supplies
were 3 percent short, 92 percent adequate, and 5
percent surplus.
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