For the week ending Sept. 13, continued warm, dry weather advanced field crop maturity, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, South Dakota Field Office, Sept. 14. Temperatures were near normal for much of the week. Most areas recorded no precipitation; however, midweek storms brought heavy rain and some hail to parts of the southeast. Producers continued seeding winter wheat, cutting silage, working livestock, and preparing for harvest. There were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 25 short, 66 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 25 short, 68 adequate, and 1 surplus. Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 4 poor, 19 fair, 58 good, and 19 excellent. Corn dented was at 81 percent, near 78 last year and the five-year average of 84. Mature was at 29 percent, well ahead of 9 last year, but near 25 average. Soybean condition rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 21 fair, 56 good, and 20 excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was at 52 percent, well ahead of 26 last year, but near 49 average. Winter wheat planted was at 22 percent, ahead of 13 last year and 15 average. Barley harvested was at 99 percent, ahead of 94 last year, but equal to the average. Sorghum condition rated 0 percent very poor, 4 poor, 30 fair, 59 good, and 7 excellent. Sorghum coloring was at 88 percent, ahead of 78 last year, but near 89 average. Mature rated 9 percent, near 6 last year, but behind 20 average. Harvested was at 1 percent, near 0 last year and 3 average. Sunflower condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 20 fair, 72 good, and 6 excellent. Sunflowers ray flowers dried was at 69 percent, ahead of 57 last year, but behind 79 average. Bracts turning yellow was at 28 percent, near 26 last year, but well behind 50 average Alfalfa conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 26 fair, 57 good, and 11 excellent. Alfalfa hay third cutting was at 75 percent, ahead of 57 last year, but near 76 average. Fourth cutting was at 19 percent, ahead of 3 last year. Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture and range conditions were rated 2 percent very poor, 9 poor, 32 fair, 52 good, and 5 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 5 percent very short, 18 short, 74 adequate, and 3 surplus. Source - http://www.hpj.com