SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) _ Farmers in South Dakota have been
finishing up the row crop harvest, hauling grain and embarking on
fall tillage thanks in part to fairly quiet weather this past week.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in its weekly crop and
weather report that farmers have also been haying, fertilizing and
moving cattle to stubble fields as they prepare for winter.
Soil temperatures recovered somewhat in places as dry soil
conditions responded to slightly warmer air temperatures.
Winter wheat was 33 percent emerged, behind the five year
average of 93 percent emerged. Ninety-five percent of the sunflower
crop was harvested, ahead of last year's 91 percent and the five
year average of 59 percent.
Cattle conditions are rated 74 percent good to excellent, 23
percent fair and 3 percent poor.
