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 state climatologist:
Figure 1. The Vegetation Condition Report for Kansas for September 22 – October 5 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the area of highest biomass production continues to shrink eastward. Areas of reduced photosynthetic activity are increasingly visible in northeast Kansas and parts of east central Kansas. Abnormally dry conditions are expanding in these areas.
Figure 2. Compared to the previous year at this time for Kansas, the current Vegetation Condition Report for September 22 – October 5 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows much of Northwest, North Central, and Central Divisions have lower NDVI values. These areas have only recently had moisture and drought conditions have intensified. This area is now considered to be in moderate drought. Lower NDVI values are also visible in parts of east central and northeast Kansas, which have had a drier September than last year.
Figure 3. Compared to the 26-year average at this time for Kansas, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for September 22 – October 5 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the western half of the state has at- or below-average photosynthetic activity. The epicenter of below-average photosynthetic activity is centered in Graham, Rooks, Trego, and Ellis counties. These areas continue to miss most of the storm systems, and moderate drought is expanding in these areas. An area of below-average photosynthetic activity is developing in Chase County, as well.
Figure 4. The Vegetation Condition Report for the Corn Belt for September 22 – October 5 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the area of greatest photosynthetic activity is concentrated in the northern and southern parts of the region. Favorable moisture conditions have resulted in high photosynthetic activity. As crops mature and harvest expands, areas of lower NDVI values continue to increase as well.
Figure 5. The comparison to last year in the Corn Belt for the period for September 22 – October 5 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows lower photosynthetic activity across most of the region. Where there are pockets of higher NDVI values, this is likely due to late-planted spring crops that are slower in maturing. In North Dakota, crop progress is generally well ahead of last year’s development.
Figure 6. Compared to the 26-year average at this time for the Corn Belt, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for September 22 – October 5 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows most of the region has average biomass production. Lower NDVI values are most evident in western Kansas and central Nebraska, where drought conditions are worsening.
Figure 7. The Vegetation Condition Report for the U.S for September 22 – October 5 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the area of highest photosynthetic activity is centered in the Appalachians of West Virginia and Tennessee. Lower NDVI values are noticeable from Georgia through the Carolinas. Flooding rains have supplanted drought as a concern in these areas. Increases in NDVI values are notable along the western Cascades in Oregon, where cooler and rainier weather have been present.
Figure 8. The U.S. comparison to last year at this time for the period September 22 - October 5 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that lower NDVI values are most evident from Alabama through the Carolinas. Little change is evident in Oregon and Northern California, where drought remains unchanged from last year.
Figure 9. The U.S. comparison to the 26-year average for the period September 22 – October 5 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows lower-than-normal photosynthetic activity in the Plains from central Nebraska through Texas. Expanding drought is the major culprit in this region. Below-average NDVI values are also visible from Alabama through the southern Atlantic Coast states. High rainfall has been the issue in these areas.
