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 November 25 – December 8 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that only the extreme northwestern portion of the state had snow during the period. The moisture content of the snow was minimal at a trace, less than 0.01 inches.
Figure 2. Compared to the previous year at this time for Kansas, the current Vegetation Condition Report for November 25 – December 8 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the biggest decrease in photosynthetic activity is centered near Norton and Phillips counties. The abrupt switch from wet conditions in October to dry in November had a negative impact on establishment of winter wheat.
Figure 3. Compared to the 25-year average at this time for Kansas, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for November 25 – December 8 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that parts of Ottawa and Saline counties have the greatest departure. Moisture in October, and cool November weather had a large impact on photosynthetic activity in this area.
Figure 4. The Vegetation Condition Report for the Corn Belt for November 25 – December 8 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that while most of the region had snow, the southwest portion missed out.
Figure 5. The comparison to last year in the Corn Belt for the period November 25 – December 8 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that a large band of lower NDVI readings is visible from southern North Dakota across Minnesota and Iowa into central Wisconsin. Heavier snow was present in these areas. The band of lower NDVI values across eastern Kentucky is largely an artifact of the splicing technique used to produce the images.
Figure 6. Compared to the 25-year average at this time for the Corn Belt, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for November 25 – December 8 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that, while not as pronounced as when compared to last year, there is an area of below-average NDVI readings from North Dakota through southern Minnesota and central Wisconsin.
Figure 7. The Vegetation Condition Report for the U.S. for November 25 – December 8 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that snow cover was not as extensive as last week. Greatest photosynthetic activity is visible in the Pacific Northwest along the coast.
Figure 8. The U.S. comparison to last year at this time for the period November 25 – December 8 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the greatest decrease in photosynthetic activity is in northern California and upper New England. Much of this is related to persistent cloud cover in these areas, as winter storms exit on the New England side, and develop on the West Coast.
Figure 9. The U.S. comparison to the 25-year average for the period November 25 – December 8 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that abundant rainfall has produced much above-average NDVI values along the Pacific Northwest. Persistent clouds have reduced the NDVI values in northern California and upper New England, while a splice-line is evident in eastern Kentucky. Lower-than-average snowpack in parts of Colorado are visible as areas of above-average NDVI readings.
