Each week, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) compiles reports of crop progress and condition at the state level throughout the growing season and on a monthly basis throughout the winter. These reports are based on data from individual observers across the state.
"The Crop Progress and Condition provides a good indication of what the document includes. Although each crop will vary from one area of the state to another in terms of both progress and condition, the reports each week provide a good indication of the status of each crop compared to the long-term average, on a state-wide basis," said Bob Fanning, SDSU Extension Plant Pathology Field Specialist.
Fanning explained that Crop Progress and Condition is reported in terms of percent seeded, emerged, jointing, headed, cut, height, blooming, harvested, etc., depending on the crop. Condition is reported as percent very poor, poor, fair, good and excellent.
"The NASS says the Crop Progress and Condition reports are some of the most requested documents that are compiled by the agency. These reports can impact South Dakota's agricultural producers by helping to stabilize crop prices, providing documentation for disaster relief programs, and indicate educational needs to name a few," Fanning said.
He added that producers can also compare the progress of their crops to the statewide average. The reports can be found online at the NASS website.
June 15, 2014 Crop Progress & Condition Summary
For the week ending June 15, 2014, the South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service reports that below normal temperatures and rain across most areas of the state dominated the weather pattern.
Activities included cutting and baling alfalfa hay, spraying herbicides, and moving cattle to summer pastures. Statewide, there were 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 0 percent very short, 4 short, 86 adequate, and 10 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 0 percent very short, 8 short, 86 adequate, and 6 surplus.
Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 4 poor, 29 fair, 61 good, and 6 excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 76 percent. Headed was 58 percent, ahead of 35 last year, but behind the five-year average of 66.
Spring wheat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 25 fair, 67 good, and 8 excellent. Emerged was 97 percent, behind 100 last year and 99 average. Spring wheat jointed was 47 percent. Headed was 9 percent, behind last year at 17 and 26 average.
Oat conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 17 fair, 76 good, and 7 excellent. Emerged was 95 percent, behind last year at 100 and 99 average. Oats headed was 32 percent, compared to 15 last year and 25 average.
Barley condition rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 23 fair, 64 good, and 13 excellent. Barley emerged was 89 percent, behind 100 last year and 98 average. Barley jointed was 17 percent. Headed was 1 percent, behind both last year and the average of 15. Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 15 fair, 75 good, and 9 excellent.
Corn emerged was 97 percent complete, near 94 last year and 95 average. Soybeans condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 14 fair, 75 good, and 9 excellent.
Soybeans were 98 percent planted, ahead of 90 last year and 92 average. Emerged was 88 percent, well ahead of last year at 67 and 71 average.
Sorghum condition rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 9 fair, 86 good, and 5 excellent. Sorghum was 79 percent planted, behind both last year and average of 86. Forty-four percent was emerged, ahead of last year at 34 but behind 49 average.
Sunflowers planted were 67 percent, well ahead of 41 last year and 61 average.
Alfalfa hay conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 21 fair, 65 good, and 12 excellent. Twenty-nine percent of alfalfa hay first cutting was complete, ahead of 16 last year, but behind 38 average.
Source : SDSU