nd-crop-weather

STATE
NORTH DAKOTA CROP, LIVESTOCK & WEATHER REPORT

RELEASE DATE, WEEK ENDING DATE
Released: May 2, 2005
For Week Ending: May 1, 2005

ISSUE
ND-CW1805

AGRICULTURAL SUMMARY
General: Good planting progress continued across the state despite the cool
weather, according to the North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service.
Cool temperatures have slowed growth of crops. Frost was reported over most
of the state, while the extent of the damage is unknown. Topsoil moisture
supplies were rated 9 percent very short, 28 short, 61 adequate and 2
surplus. This compared with the five-year (2000-2004) average of 5 percent
very short, 17 short, 68 adequate and 10 surplus. Statewide, on average,
there were 6 days suitable for fieldwork.

FIELD CROPS REPORT
Crops: Planting continued ahead of average for most crops. Hard red spring
wheat was 53 percent seeded, equal to last year and ahead of the average of
34 percent. Durum was 33 percent seeded compared with 14 percent on
average. Barley was 44 percent seeded compared with 24 percent on average.
Small grain emergence was slightly ahead of average.

Producers showed the most seeding progress on sugarbeets with 77 percent
seeded compared with the average of 51 percent. Corn was 22 percent planted
compared with 25 percent on average. Dry edible peas were 49 percent
seeded. Producers have just started planting dry beans and sunflower.

LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE REPORT
Livestock: Pasture and range growth has slowed due in part to cool
temperatures and dry conditions. Pastures were rated 73 percent growing
compared to 72 percent last year. Pasture and range conditions were rated 8
percent very poor, 23 poor, 46 fair, 22 good and 1 excellent. Calving was
89 percent complete, lambing was 94 percent complete and shearing was 96
percent complete. Hay and forage supplies were rated 4 percent very short,
21 short, 70 adequate and 5 surplus. Grain and concentrate supplies were 2
percent very short, 7 short, 83 adequate and 8 surplus.

CROP PROGRESS TABLE
                        Crop Development Progress 1/
                        May 1, 2005 with Comparisons
                                         Week Ending             2000-
 Crop                           May 1,     April 24,  May 1,     2004
                                 2005       2005      2004        Avg.
                                                (Percent)
 BARLEY
    Planted                       44         22        42         24
    Emerged                        6          1        11          5
 DURUM WHEAT
    Planted                       33         15        29         14
    Emerged                        6          2         7          3
 HRS WHEAT
    Planted                       53         29        53         34
    Emerged                       12          3        19         10
 OATS
    Planted                       49         28        50         29
    Emerged                       10          1        11          6
 CANOLA
    Planted                       28         13        26         20
    Emerged                        2         NA         2          4
 CORN, ALL
    Planted                       22         11        44         25
    Emerged                        0         NA         0          0
 DRY EDIBLE BEANS
    Planted                        1          0         1          0
 DRY EDIBLE PEAS
    Planted                       49         21        NA         NA
    Emerged                        3         NA        NA         NA
 FLAXSEED
    Planted                       18          5        17          9
    Emerged                        1         NA         1          0
 POTATOES
    Planted                       18          4        13         14
    Emerged                        1         NA         1          1
 SOYBEANS
    Planted                        0          0         4          2
 SUGARBEETS
    Planted                       77         34        80         51
    Emerged                        2         NA         9          5
 SUNFLOWER
    Planted                        1         NA         2          1
 1/ Crop development percents represent all acreage in or beyond each
 stage. NA = Not Available

SOIL TEMPERATURES
Soil Temperatures: Average soil temperatures on May 1 ranged from a low of
37 degrees F in Langdon to a high of 44 in Grand Forks, Minot, Watford City
and Williston. These readings reflect daily average temperatures under 4
inches of bare soil recorded by the North Dakota Agricultural Weather
Network (NDAWN).

SOIL TEMPERATURE TABLE
 Average Soil Temperatures*, May 1, 2005
 Station                Temperature      Station             Temperature
                         Degrees F                            Degrees F
 NORTHWEST                            CENTRAL
   Bowbells                  40         Carrington                41
   Minot                     44         Robinson                  40
   Williston                 44         Streeter                  40
 NORTH CENTRAL                        EAST CENTRAL
   Baker                     43         Dazey                     41
   Bottineau                 39         Fargo                     40
   Rolla                     41       SOUTHWEST
 NORTHEAST                              Bowman                    39
   Cavalier                  42         Dickinson                 42
   Grand Forks               44       SOUTH CENTRAL
   Langdon                   37         Linton                    42
 WEST CENTRAL                         SOUTHEAST
   Turtle Lake               42         Oakes                     43
   Watford City              44         Wyndmere                  42
 * Thermometers located 4 inches under bare soil.
 Source: NDAWN, Department of Soil Science, NDSU.

SOIL MOISTURE TABLE
 Soil Moisture: North Dakota
                                     Week Ending                2000-
                       May 1,      April 24,       May 1,       2004
 Date                  2005          2005          2004         Avg.
                                          (Percent)
 TOPSOIL
    Very Short           9             7             11            5
    Short               28            26             30           17
    Adequate            61            64             56           68
    Surplus              2             3              3           10

 SUBSOIL
    Very Short          12            13             11            7
    Short               24            23             31           21
    Adequate            61            60             56           64
    Surplus              3             4              2            8

WEATHER SUMMARY
Weather: After enjoying weeks of dry weather and above average
temperatures, the state saw much colder weather along with some wintry
conditions for the last week of April. A strong upper level low in Ontario
dominated the weather scene for the majority of the week bringing cloudy
conditions and temperatures well below seasonal normals. Scattered light
rain and even snow showers were found across the state for the majority of
the week. High temperatures were in the upper 40s to upper 50s on Monday
and Tuesday, with low temperatures in the 30s. High temperatures for the
period of Wednesday through Friday were mostly in the 40s, with low
temperatures ranging from the mid- 20s to low 30s. Another reinforcing area
of cold air moved across the state for the weekend bringing colder
temperatures, windy conditions and rain/snow showers across most areas.
High temperatures ranged from the mid-30s in the northeast to the mid-40s
in the west. Low temperatures were in the 20s for the weekend.

Outlook, May 2-8: Improving weather conditions for ND will start off the
month of May. Warmer temperatures and mostly sunny skies will prevail for
the first half of the week. The week will start off with below average
temperatures, with highs in the upper 40s to mid-50s and lows in the 30s.
High temperatures will warm to slightly above seasonal average by mid week,
with highs mostly in the 60s to near 70 degrees across the state.
Temperatures look to remain near seasonal averages through the week's end.
The next chance of precipitation for the state looks to be on the weekend.
Look for a chance of rain over the western and central areas beginning late
on Friday. A chance of rain will exist across the entire state for Saturday
and Sunday.

WEATHER INFORMATION TABLES
 Temperature & Precipitation: Districts and Stations
 North Dakota, Week ending May 1, 2005
                              Average            Seasonal Precipitation
 District                   Temperature            Beginning April 1
 Averages                 Past     Depart      Past                 Depart
                          Week    Normal 1/    Week      Total      Normal 1/
                            (Degrees F)                 (Inches)
 Northwest    (1)         39         -7        0.00       0.20      -1.41
 N. Central   (2)         38         -8        0.00       0.34      -1.41
 Northeast    (3)         37        -10        0.04       0.83      -0.64
 W. Central   (4)         39         -8        0.00       0.30      -1.59
 Central      (5)         37        -11        0.00       0.43      -1.35
 E. Central   (6)         38        -11        0.01       0.54      -1.38
 Southwest    (7)         38         -8        0.01       0.62      -1.26
 S. Central   (8)         39        -10        0.01       0.85      -1.10
 Southeast   (9)          38        -10        0.01       0.65      -1.27
 1/ Normal is the 1961-90 average. NA=Not Available. Weather data
 collected from NDAWN stations and compiled by UND Aerospace Regional
 Weather Information Center.

 Temperature & Precipitation: Districts and Stations
 North Dakota, Week ending May 1, 2005
                         Temperature           Seasonal Precipitation
 Stations                 Past Week              Beginning April 1
   by                                          Past                Depart
 District              High       Low          Week     Total    Normal 1/
                         (Degrees F)                   (Inches)
 (1) Bowbells           53         22          0.00       0.15      -1.31
   Williston            59         23          0.00       0.00      -1.41
   Mohall               53         27          0.00       0.38      -1.19
   Minot                53         23          0.00       0.25      -1.74
 (2) Baker              52         24          0.01       0.51      -1.51
   Bottineau            55         21          0.00       0.18      -1.40
   Rugby                53         22          0.00       0.34      -1.31
 (3) Cando              50         25          0.00       0.74      -0.46
   Cavalier             47         25          0.05       0.99      -0.53
   Forest River         48         27          0.04       0.91      -0.76
   Grand Forks          49         27          0.06       0.40      -1.09
   Langdon              47         25          0.04       1.19      -0.07
   St. Thomas           49         28          0.02       0.75      -0.92
 (4) Hazen              56         22          0.00       0.58      -1.54
   Turtle Lake          55         24          0.00       0.31      -1.64
   Watford City         57         21          0.00       0.00      -1.60
 (5) Carrington         54         19          0.01       0.54      -1.28
   Harvey               54         20          0.01       0.36      -1.23
   Jamestown            55         21          0.00       0.41      -1.29
   Robinson             54         19          0.00       0.35      -1.41
   Streeter             54         19          0.00       0.51      -1.55
 (6) Dazey              52         25          0.02       0.39      -1.42
   Fargo                52         23          0.02       0.77      -1.20
   Hillsboro            54         20          0.00       0.45      -1.53
 (7) Beach              58         20          0.00       0.73      -0.96
   Bowman               57         17          0.02       0.46      -1.13
   Dickinson            56         20          0.00       0.63      -1.46
   Hettinger            57         17          0.00       0.66      -1.48
 (8) Mandan             58         20          0.00       1.05      -0.75
   Linton               57         19          0.02       0.64      -1.45
 (9) Edgeley            56         19          0.00       0.68      -1.38
   Oakes                56         22          0.01       0.56      -1.55
   Wyndmere             54         23          0.02       0.70      -0.87
 1/ Normal is the 1961-90 average. NA=Not Available. Weather data
 collected from NDAWN stations and compiled by UND Aerospace Regional
 Weather Information Center.

CONTACT INFORMATION
  North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service, USDA
  Cooperating with:
  NDSU Extension Service,
  Farm Service Agency,
  ND Ag Weather Network (NDAWN)
  and
  UND Aerospace Regional Weather Information Center

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
  David Knopf, State Statistician
  North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service
  NDSU, IACC Bldg., Room 448
  P.O. Box 3166
  Fargo, ND 58108-3166
  Telephone: (701) 239-5306
  E-Mail: nass-nd@nass.usda.gov
  Internet: http://www.nass.usda.gov/nd/