>State Statisticsl Report R:rf

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Released: February 1, 1999 -- 3:00 p.m For January 1999 Volume 48 Issue 01

GENERAL The month of January started with a winter storm that brought snow, blowing snow, and bitterly cold temperatures to most of the region, according to USDA's South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service. By the middle of the month, the cold weather slowly disappeared and made way for mild temperatures to move into the region, allowing producers to continue with general maintenance activi ties. There were several areas of the state affected by two ice storms that hit the latter part of the month. By the last week of the month, mild temperatures and sunshine were reported statewide. The average snow depth across the state was 3.2 inches, with 99 percent of the county roads open.

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

CROPS January started with more snow and colder temperatures than the previous month, with crops remaining in fair to excellent condition. Producers have finished harvest with only a few unharvested fields remaining and, despite low crop prices, have moved grains to market. As January ended, snow cover protection for alfalfa was rated 6 percent excellent, 45 percent adequate, and 49 percent poor. Snow cover for winter wheat was 1 percent excellent, 39 percent adequate, and 60 percent poor. Winter rye snow cover was 30 percent excellent, 44 percent adequate, and 26 percent poor. Many areas of the state have fall seeded crops and alfalfa laying dormant with little to no snow cover, posing a risk of winterkill. Several ice storms in the east and central parts of the state also posed a threat to crops.

LIVESTOCK AND FORAGE Cattle and sheep are in good to excellent condition, in spite of the cold weather that was in the region the first of January. Live stock are showing little to no stress, with feeding requirements remaining minimal. Most producers have been moving cattle to market with no problems. Calf death losses during January were rated as 19 percent below normal, 80 percent normal, and 1 percent above normal. Cattle death losses were rated 25 percent below normal, 74 percent normal, and 1 percent above normal. Sheep and lamp death losses were rated 21 percent below normal and 79 percent normal. Producers benefitted from the minimal snow cover and snowfall during January, keeping livestock on stubble fields and using less of their feed stocks. There were reports that recent ice storms have increased problems with grazing conditions and animal health. Hay and roughage supplies are 4 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus. Stock water supplies are 88 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus.


             

CROP AND LIVESTOCK CONDITIONS
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Item     V Poor Poor Fair Good Excel
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             Percent
Winter Wht   0   4    10    74   12
Winter Rye   0   1    19    41   39
Cattle       0   0     9    69   22
Sheep        0   0    10    68   22
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                  TEMPERATURE      PRECIPITATION    
STATION          HI    LO   AVG   DFN    TOTAL    DFN   
Buffalo          43   -17   17    -1     0.52    +0.23    
Aberdeen         42   -28   10    +0     0.63    +0.26    
Leola            42   -23   11    +0     0.60    +0.18    
Mobridge         42   -24   13    +1     0.22    -0.12    
Roscoe           42   -23    9    -2     0.61    +0.25    
Britton          38   -30    9    -1     1.24    +0.79    
Sisseton         41   -21   10    -2     1.19    +0.66    
Webster          37   -23    9    -2     1.29    +0.71    
Watertown_SD     39   -22   11    +0     0.90    +0.36    
Faith_AP         50   -11   19    +2     0.71    +0.44    
Lead             55    -7   28    +5     1.62    +0.34    
Philip_AP        56   -19   24    +5     0.44    +0.18    
Rapid_City       60    -7   26    +4     0.20    -0.19    
Chamberlain_Ag   54   -19   19    +2     0.38    +0.16    
Highmore         49   -25   16    +3     0.30    -0.03    
Huron            45   -19   16    +3     0.19    -0.22    
Pierre           57   -14   21    +4     0.48    +0.05    
Brookings_Ag     41   -24   10    +0     0.73    +0.41    
Madison_Resrch_  39   -21   11    +1     0.19    -0.33    
Mitchell_Ag      51   -19   16    +2     0.42    +0.00    
Sioux_Falls      41   -18   15    +2     0.36    -0.15    
Custer           46   -12   25    +3     0.45    +0.09    
Hot_Springs      57   -10   29    +4     0.55    +0.25    
Porcupine        56   -18   25    +6     0.57    +0.34    
Bonesteel        55   -12   21    +5     2.10    +1.78    
Mission_14S      55   -17   23    +4     0.35    +0.06    
Murdo            55   -15   21    +4     1.63    +1.30    
Winner           56   -16   26    +5     0.28    -0.23    
Armour           54   -18   21    +4     0.38    -0.14    
Vermillion       48   -20   20    +2     0.24    -0.15    
Yankton          52   -16   19    +3     0.15    -0.23

South Dakota county map showing snow depth

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

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