K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory (EASAL) produces weekly Vegetation Condition Report maps. These maps can be a valuable tool for making crop selection and marketing decisions.
The objective of these reports is to provide users with a means of assessing the relative condition of crops and grassland. The maps can be used to assess current plant growth rates, as well as comparisons to the previous year and relative to the 24-year average. The report is used by individual farmers and ranchers, the commodities market, and political leaders for assessing factors such as production potential and drought impact across their state.
NOTE TO READERS: The maps below represent a subset of the maps available from the EASAL group. If you’d like digital copies of the entire map series please contact Kevin Price at kpprice@ksu.edu and we can place you on our email list to receive the entire dataset each week as they are produced. The maps are normally first available on Wednesday of each week, unless there is a delay in the posting of the data by EROS Data Center where we obtain the raw data used to make the maps. These maps are provided for free as a service of the Department of Agronomy and K-State Research and Extension.
The maps in this issue of the newsletter show the current state of photosynthetic activity in Kansas, the Corn Belt, and the continental U.S., with comments from Mary Knapp, service climatologist:
Figure 1. The Vegetation Condition Report for Kansas for October 22 – November 4 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that active biomass production is greatest just north of the Kansas River in Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties. These areas had more moderate temperatures than most of the state during this two-week composite period. Bonner Springs didn’t have a hard freeze until the 25th of October.
Figure 2. Compared to the previous year at this time for Kansas, the current Vegetation Condition Report for October 22 – November 4 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that lower NDVI values are confined to a small area of east central Kansas and parts of Ness and Hodgeman counties in west central Kansas. These areas were the last to have significant rainfall this fall.
Figure 3. Compared to the 24-year average at this time for Kansas, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for October 22 – November 4 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that most of the state is close to average. The greatest area of above-average productivity is along the Kansas River Valley, especially in Riley and Wyandotte counties. A second concentration of increased productivity can be seen in the Central Division in the Ellis and Russell County areas.
Figure 4. The Vegetation Condition Report for the Corn Belt for October 22 – November 4 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that snow continues to be a feature in the Northern Plains. Most lasted only a short time. Southern Missouri continues to have the most active vegetation. Joplin, MO has not yet had a hard freeze through the 4th of November.
Figure 5. The comparison to last year in the Corn Belt for the period October 22 – November 4 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the greatest increase in productivity is in Ohio and northern Kentucky, with a second concentration in the Northern Plains. There are splice lines on both the east and west sides of the region, due to cloud issues.
Figure 6. Compared to the 24-year average at this time for the Corn Belt, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for October 22 – November 4 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that most of the region has close to average productivity. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan and southern Kentucky are the major exceptions. Excessive moisture appears to be the major cause of this departure.
Figure 7. The Vegetation Condition Report for the U.S. for October 22 – November 4 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that snow has begun to be a factor in New England, particularly in upstate New York. Active biomass production continues to be pushed further south as cold air intrusions bring an end to the summer growing season.
Figure 8. The U.S. comparison to last year at this time for the period October 22 – November 4 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that biggest decrease in photosynthetic activity is in western Colorado. This is mainly due to increased snow cover. This year, Breckenridge reported 6 inches of snow on the ground during this two-week composite period, while last year snow cover was zero.
Figure 9. The U.S. comparison to the 24-year average for the period October 22 – November 4 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that most of the nation has close-to-average photosynthetic activity. Colorado and Kentucky stand out with below-normal conditions. This is due mainly to snow in Colorado and excessive moisture in Kentucky.
Mary Knapp, Agronomy, Weather Data Library mknapp@ksu.edu
Kevin Price, Agronomy and Geography, Remote Sensing, Natural Resources, GIS kpprice@ksu.edu
Nan An, Graduate Research Assistant, Ecology & Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory (EASAL) nanan@ksu.edu