>State Statisticsl Report R:rf

Return to the List of 1998 Crop Weather Reports

Released: January 4, 1999 -- 3:00 p.m. For December 1998 Volume 47 Issue 39

GENERAL The month of December started with mild temperatures and little snowfall, according to USDA's South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service. The mild temperatures allowed pro ducers to progress with harvest, fall tillage, and general winter maintenance. By the middle of the month, the mild temperatures disappeared, as bitterly cold weather moved into the region. Snowfall around the state increased, with temperatures and windchills dropping below zero. By the last week of the month, significant

Based on information from county agents and farm service agency county directors.

CROPS Warm, winter weather the first of the month allowed many producers back into the fields to continue with harvest. There is 3 percent of corn and sorghum remaining in the fields at month's end, compared to 9 percent of corn and 10 percent of sorghum at the beginning of December. The warmer temperatures allowed many producers to finish harvest, fall tillage, and fertilizing. Snow cover was minimal for the month of December, leaving winter crops vulnerable to the frigid temperatures that arrived at the end of the month. As December ended, alfalfa snow cover was rated 66 percent poor and 34 percent adequate. Winter wheat snow cover was 66 percent poor and 35 percent adequate. Winter rye snow cover was 63 percent poor and 37 percent adequate. There is some concern that exposed winter wheat and rye crops will be hurt, due to the lack of snow cover. There were also reports of winter crops breaking dormancy, with the mild temperatures early in the month.

LIVESTOCK AND FORAGE Cattle and sheep are in good to excellent condition, benefiting from the mild tempera tures the first of the month. As the month progressed and cold weather moved into the region, some livestock showed signs of stress. There were a few reports of pneumo nia in weaned calves, which was attributed to the warm weather. Fall calf crop deaths were rated at 15 percent below normal, 84 percent normal, and 1 percent above normal. Fall lamb crop deaths were rated 11 percent below normal, 88 percent normal, and 1 percent above normal. Producers benefited from the minimal snow cover and snowfall, keeping livestock on stubble fields until late in the month, using less of their feed stocks. Feed supplies are 3 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Stock water supplies are 1 percent short, 86 per cent adequate, and 13 percent surplus.


             


       CROP AND LIVESTOCK CONDITIONS


 Item    V Poor Poor Fair Good Excel
________________________________________
                   Percent
Winter Wht   0   0   16   67   17
Winter Rye   0   1   15   71   13
Cattle       0   0   11   67   22
Sheep        0   0    8   71   21
________________________________________
               


                                  

            



                      AIR
                  TEMPERATURE        PRECIPITATIO
 STATION         HI    LO AVG   DFN TOTAL   DFN
 -------         --    --    --  -- -----  ----
Buffalo          66  -18    26   6  0.14 -0.25
Aberdeen         58   -9    24  10  0.21  -0.2
Leola            62   -9    23   9  0.05 -0.38
Mobridge         66  -11    26   9  0.03 -0.44
Roscoe           62  -11    23   9   0.6  0.23
Britton          57  -10    22   9  0.28 -0.11
Sisseton         58   -8    24   8  0.47 -0.08
Webster          55  -11    22   7  0.21 -0.33
Watertown_SD     59   -9    24   8  0.21 -0.29
Faith_AP         68   -7    30  11  0.01 -0.35
Lead             60  -18    27   2  0.98 -0.55
Philip_AP        72  -15    28   7   0.2 -0.36
Rapid_City       70  -18    29   5  0.02 -0.45
Chamberlain_Ag   73  -11    28   8  0.17 -0.22
Highmore         68  -11    27   9  0.06 -0.36
Huron            66   -8    27  10  0.11 -0.36
Pierre           77  -10    31  11  0.15  -0.4
Brookings_Ag     63   -9    23   9  0.17 -0.16
Madison_Resrch_  64  -10    24   9  0.03 -0.75
Mitchell_Ag      70   -8    27   9  0.43 -0.17
Sioux_Falls      63  -10    26   8  0.24 -0.46
Custer           56  -26    25   1  0.04 -0.52
Hot_Springs      65  -25    28   1   0.3 -0.06
Porcupine        70  -24    27   6  0.21 -0.16
Bonesteel        71  -13    28   8   0.1 -0.43
Mission_14S      71  -15    28   7  0.14 -0.32
Murdo            71  -15    28   8  0.22 -0.33
Winner           74  -13    31   8   0.1 -0.51
Armour           70  -13    29   7   0.2 -0.52
Vermillion       68  -10    30   8  0.12 -0.55
Yankton          70   -8    28   8  0.28 -0.26

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
Black & White Crosshatched Topsoil image in 'TIF' format for publishers
Subsoil image in 'TIF' format for publishers
Black & White Crosshatched Subsoil image in 'TIF' format for publishers

Return to the List of 1998 Crop Weather Reports