Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-15
South Dakota
Corn Crop Well
Advanced Aug. |
Estimate by United States Elk.
pert Puts Average This
Year Ahead of For
mer Seasons.

First estimates OF probable crop
yields in South Dakota for this sea-
son have just been made by n. o.
Herbrandson, field agent in South
Dakota, of the bureau Of crop esti-
mates, United States Department OF
Agriculture. The report of the
field agent in which the estimates
are set forth is in part as follows:
'All counties of South Dakota in
6icate their corn crop to be greatly
advanced, as compared with the
usual condition of August !. The
state yield is now estimated at 50
bushels per acre or total produc-
ton of 108,7s0,000 bushels, which
is still the largest corn crop ever
produced in this state, regardless OF
the injury which has been done.
winter wheat is found to have
yielded IA bushels per acre in
South Dakota, or a total production
of $4,000 bushels.
"The intense heat which the state
experienced fastened the maturity
of spring wheat and no doubt has
reduced the annual production con-
siderable. Following the first few
days of July, climatic conditions inn
proved for spring wheat Addition
al precipitation and lower tempera-
lures permitted the berry to fill bet
ter than previous conditions prom
ised, resulting in a much higher
quality of grain.
Little Rust Damage.
There was scarcely any rust this
season to damage the quality. Be-
cause of the drouth the growth of
the plant has been dwarfed and
therefore the yields are comparative
ly small. Especially is this true in
the northern half of the James river
valley territory, which is the most
important wheat growing region in
South Dakota. The north and east
ern counties have a better crop.
1T is now estimated that South
Dakota's spring wheat crop will
yield about nine and three-fourths
bushels per acre, or total produc-
ton of 25,390,000 bushels. This is
about the same production as that
of one year ago.. but the quality is
much superior.
THE oat crop has suffered from
the same cause as the spring wheat
crop. Oats are more extensively
grown in the southern portion of
the state. The production, based on
d yield of "a bushels per acre, is
placed at 54,S64,000 bushels. This is
about 2l,500,000 bushels less than
the estimated crop: of one year ago
and closely approximates the 1919
production, but is less than South
Dakota's usual crop of oats.
Frost Damages Barley.
Barley has experienced most un
satisfactory conditions for produc-
ton this year. The sowing was most
favorable, but shortly after starting
growth, the May frosts damaged the
plants. Following this came the tor
rid heat of June, which matured the
crop prematurely, reducing the pros
pect of yields and shriveling the ker-
mel. The result is that there is
practically no barley of good quality
in the entire state. The prospect
now is for production OF l7,S33,000
bushels This is decrease of ap-
proximately 100000 bushels since
the July l report and is the smallest
barley production since 1918.
Potatoes give even poorer prom
Use than on July |. The prospect
now is for yield OF 81 bushels per
acre. Lack of precipitation when
needed most, together with intense
heat, were the causes of the damage.
FLAX is giving very poor promise
now, with practically no opportunity
for improvement. Most fields were
planted early and hurt by drouth
and heat.
RYE production has been decreas-
ing annually of late years and the
crop this year is approximately the
same as in 1916, being placed at
4,704,000 bushels.
Much of the western half Of
South Dakota has poor native crop
of hay. The eastern portion is
somewhat better, especially the
Sioux river valley and the southeast
ern counties. Fortunately, South
Dakota has an unusually large hold
over of hay from last year."