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 26-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 January 6 – 19 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that snow was again a feature, particularly in the western portions of the state. Unfortunately, amounts were limited to less than 2 inches and the liquid equivalents were also light.
Figure 2. Compared to the previous year at this time for Kansas, the current Vegetation Condition Report for January 6 – 19 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that MDVI readings were generally lower. Cool, dry conditions have limited plant development.
Figure 3. Compared to the 26-year average at this time for Kansas, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for January 6 – 19 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that most of the state has average NDVI readings. The greatest decrease shows in the area from Ford County to Saline County. This represents the lingering impact of the early January snow event.
Figure 4. The Vegetation Condition Report for the Corn Belt for January 6 – 19 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that only the southern portions of the region missed on the snowfall. Where snow was present the amounts were limited. In North Dakota, the greatest snowfall report for the period was just 5 inches. Duluth, MN has reported just 4.8 inches for January; the normal for January is 19.4 inches.
Figure 5. The comparison to last year in the Corn Belt for the period January 6 – 19 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that there is a band of lower NDVI readings from western Nebraska through northwestern Iowa. There is also an area of higher readings across Minnesota and the eastern portions of the Dakotas. Lack of snow is a major factor for the higher readings. Fargo has reported just less than 3 inches of snow so far in January. Last year, it reported more than 9 inches. In contrast, last year Imperial, Nebraska started the period with just an inch of snow on the ground. This year, it reported 6 inches of snow on the ground.
Figure 6. Compared to the 26-year average at this time for the Corn Belt, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for January 6 – 19 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the impact of the snow cover continues. Northern areas of the region, where snow cover is lower than usual, have higher NDVI values. In contrast, areas of western Nebraska and northern Ohio have lower NDVI values due to greater than typical snow cover.
Figure 7. The Vegetation Condition Report for the U.S. for January 6 – 19 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that snow cover is again visible in parts of the Deep South. The narrow band of snow across central Texas into Louisiana was light and short-lived. Snow in the Northwest has been farther from the coast than is usual.
Figure 8. The U.S. comparison to last year at this time for the period January 6 – 19 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that lower NDVI readings are greatest from Montana across the northern Rockies and into western Nebraska. These areas have seen higher snowfalls than last year at this time. The area from the Pacific Northwest into Southern California continues to have lower-than-usual snow packs. Coupled with the wet conditions in December, this has resulted in higher photosynthetic activity in the region.
Figure 9. The U.S. comparison to the 26-year average for the period January 6 – 19 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that greatest departures are along the Pacific Northwest. This is of concern, since it is indicative of low snow pack. With continued demand and little contribution to the water reserves, drought is likely to intensify in the region.
