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, assistant climatologist:
Figure 1. The Vegetation Condition Report for Kansas for March 17 – 30 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that there was a very slight snow event in extreme northeast Kansas, but that didn’t even last a day. The most active plant development is occurring in south central.
Figure 2. Compared to the previous year at this time for Kansas, the current Vegetation Condition Report for March 17 – 30 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows photosynthetic activity has been greatest in the Central and South Central Divisions, as well as parts of southwest Kansas. Temperatures are warmer this year than last, and biomass activity has increased.
Figure 3. Compared to the 26-year average at this time for Kansas, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for March 17 – 30 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the Northeastern Division has been the slowest to emerge from winter dormancy. This area of the state has had cooler temperatures than other parts of the state. In north central Kansas, the combination of drought conditions and extreme temperatures has resulted in very low biomass production. In southwest Kansas, the winter moisture has been close to average with slightly warmer-than-normal temperatures. This has accelerated photosynthetic activity in this region.
Figure 4. The Vegetation Condition Report for the Corn Belt for March 17 – 30 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that snowfall was confined to the northern areas of the region. This snowfall has not alleviated the limited snow conditions for the area this winter.
Figure 5. The comparison to last year in the Corn Belt for the period March 17 – 30 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the areas of northern Minnesota through Michigan have the greatest increase in photosynthetic activity. Snow cover has been limited in much of these areas, so photosynthetic activity is much more visible than last year.
Figure 6. Compared to the 26-year average at this time for the Corn Belt, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for March 17 – 30 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows the greatest increase photosynthetic activity is in the area of northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. This is largely the result of the rapid elimination of the snow pack in these areas. This is an area where drought is expanding and the increased demand for water from early plant development is of concern.
Figure 7. The Vegetation Condition Report for the U.S. for March 17 – 30 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the snow cover continues to retreat northward. Most noticeable is the lack of snow cover in the Pacific Northwest.
Figure 8. The U.S. comparison to last year at this time for the period March 17 – 30 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the northern areas of the country have the greatest increase in photosynthetic activity. This is of particular concern, as the demands are likely to quickly exhaust available soil water resources.
Figure 9. The U.S. comparison to the 26-year average for the period March 17 – 30 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows much higher-than-average photosynthetic activity in the Pacific Northwest. This will increase water demand with limited available water. The increase in photosynthetic activity may result in rapid intensification of drought in these areas. In Texas and Florida, the increased activity is driven by wetter conditions during the period.
