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 25-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 Nan An at nanan@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 14 – 27 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that areas of low photosynthetic activity continues to progress eastward as we move into winter. Areas of higher biomass production are visible in Finney, Kearney, and Pawnee counties.
Figure 2. Compared to the previous year at this time for Kansas, the current Vegetation Condition Report for October 14 – 27 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that much of the state has higher NDVI values. The area with the greatest decrease is in west central Kansas, from Wallace to Gove counties.
Figure 3. Compared to the 25-year average at this time for Kansas, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for October 14 – 27 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows conditions are normal or above-normal statewide. The East Central and Southeastern Divisions show the highest photosynthetic activity compared to the long-term average. These parts of the state have had favorable temperatures and moisture for plant growth.
Figure 4. The Vegetation Condition Report for the Corn Belt for October 14 – 27 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that biomass production continues to decrease in the upper Great Lakes region, while photosynthetic activity continues at higher levels along the southern portions of the region. It is particularly high in southern Missouri and Kentucky, where mild temperatures have prevailed.
Figure 5. The comparison to last year in the Corn Belt for the period October 14 – 27 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that most of the region is similar. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan has particularly high values compared to last year. Crops continue to be behind last year’s development.
Figure 6. Compared to the 25-year average at this time for the Corn Belt, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for October 14 – 27 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the greatest area of above-average photosynthetic activity continues to be in northeastern Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Crops continue to be behind average in development.
Figure 7. The Vegetation Condition Report for the U.S. for October 14 – 27 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that high NDVI values are prominent along the Pacific Northwest and the Southeastern U.S. Parts of New England have low NDVI values, particularly in New York, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Figure 8. The U.S. comparison to last year at this time for the period October 14 – 27 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that New England has the greatest area of lower photosynthetic activity. Rains in the region delayed field work, but helped recharge water supplies.
Figure 9. The U.S. comparison to the 25-year average for the period October 14 – 27 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the greatest departures are areas of below-average photosynthetic activity in New England. In New York, winter wheat is ahead of average, with most of the crop in good to excellent condition.
