With only 0.7 day suitable for fieldwork, producers anticipate a late planting season for most crops.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 17 percent very short, 27 percent short, 52 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 39 percent very short, 44 percent short, 16 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Major agricultural activities during the week included caring for livestock and preparing for spring planting.

Winter wheat condition rated 30 percent very poor, 43 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 5 percent good, and 0 percent excellent. Six percent of spring wheat has been seeded, compared to 79 percent last year and 26 percent average. Oats seeding rated 16 percent complete, behind 76 percent last year and 24 percent average. Only 1 percent of barley has been seeded, behind 55 percent last year and 16 percent average.

Last week’s storm made calving conditions difficult and caused spring field work to be put on hold. Calving was 60 percent complete and lambing 78 percent complete. Only 3 percent of cattle were reported as moved to pasture. Cattle and calf conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. Cattle and calves death loss reported at 9 percent below average, 82 percent average, and 9 percent above average. Sheep and lamb conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 66 percent good, and 12 percent excellent. Sheep and lambs death loss reported at 7 percent below average, 90 percent average, and 3 percent above average. Pasture and range conditions rated 29 percent very poor, 35 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 6 percent good, and 0 percent excellent. Hay and forage supplies rated 27 percent very short, 33 percent short, 38 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Stock water supplies were 23 percent very short, 35 percent short, 39 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Source: USDA NASS SD Field Office

The entire state experienced temperatures last week that were at least 9 degrees below normal.

With the recent snow cover, averaging 10.4 inches across the state, there was only 0.1 day suitable for fieldwork. Spring planting is being delayed further by the continued winter like weather. Reports indicated that, on average, producers intended to begin fieldwork by May 2. Although moisture supplies improved, the 2013 planting progress continues to be well behind last year’s early progress and also behind the 5 year average. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 10 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 28 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus.

Poor conditions caused increased stress to livestock producers who were calving and lambing.Calving was 64 percent complete, while lambing was 74 percent complete and shearing 91 percent complete. Cattle and calf conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Cattle and calves death loss reported at 10 percent below average, 82 percent average, and 8 percent above average. Sheep and lamb conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 63 percent good, and 8 percent excellent. Sheep and lambs death loss reported at 16 percent below average, 79 percent average, and 5 percent above average. Hay and forage supplies rated 3 percent very short, 25 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Stock water supplies rated 5 percent very short, 14 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus.

Source: USDA NASS ND Field Office