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 an_198317@hotmail.com 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 29 – October 12 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the highest biomass production continues to be in eastern Kansas. There is an area of increased photosynthetic activity in southwest Kansas, where rainfall continues to be higher than average. Favorable soil moisture and moderate temperatures resulted in increased biomass production in these areas. Much lower NDVI values are visible in Trego, Ellis, Rush, and Ness counties, and have expanded into Pawnee and Barton counties, where drought conditions have intensified.
Figure 2. Compared to the previous year at this time for Kansas, the current Vegetation Condition Report for September 29 – October 12 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows parts of central and west central Kansas have much lower photosynthetic activity. These areas continue to miss out on the storm systems, 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.
Figure 3. Compared to the 26-year average at this time for Kansas, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for September 29 – October 12 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that most of the state continues to show near-average photosynthetic activity. Most of the below-average photosynthetic activity is concentrated on the boundaries of the Western and Central Divisions. These areas continue to miss most of the storm systems, and moderate drought is expanding in these areas. In east central Kansas there is an area of above-average photosynthetic activity, where precipitation has continued above average through the growing season.
Figure 4. The Vegetation Condition Report for the Corn Belt for September 29 – October 12 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the greatest photosynthetic activity is concentrated in the northern and southern parts of the region. Favorable moisture conditions have resulted in high photosynthetic activity. Lower NDVI values are present from North Dakota through Iowa to Illinois and Ohio, as crops are maturing early.
Figure 5. The comparison to last year in the Corn Belt for the period for September 29 – October 12 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows lower photosynthetic activity along the Central Plains, as an extended dry period has slowed plant development and drought conditions intensify. Conditions haven’t changed in California, Oregon and Washington where the drought continues. In southern Georgia, persistent clouds show as reduced photosynthetic activity.
Figure 6. Compared to the 26-year average at this time for the Corn Belt, this year’s Vegetation Condition Report for September 29 – October 12 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows most of the region has average biomass production. Above-average photosynthetic activity can be seen in northern Minnesota through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where temperatures have continued mild. Central Illinois through western Ohio stand out with lower NDVI values, although crop conditions are rated favorably. Crop development is ahead of average in these regions. There is an area of below-average photosynthetic activity in western Kansas, where drought is intensifying.
Figure 7. The Vegetation Condition Report for the U.S for September 29 – October 12 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the highest photosynthetic activity is centered in the Appalachians of West Virginia and Tennessee. Lower NDVI values are noticeable in southern Georgia, where persistent drought conditions continue. While rains have been more prevalent in the area, impacts have been limited. Low NDVI values are also notable along the western Cascades in Oregon, where drought and wildfires continue to affect vegetation.
Figure 8. The U.S. comparison to last year at this time for the period September 29 – October 12 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that lower NDVI values are most evident from the Plains through the Southwest. Crop development in much of the region is ahead of average. Lower NDVI values are visible in eastern Montana and western North Dakota. 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 29 – October 12 from K-State’s Ecology and Agriculture Spatial Analysis Laboratory shows that the Southern Plains have lower-than-normal photosynthetic activity, while the greatest area of above-average NDVI values is along the northern Great Lakes. Mild temperatures in the Great Lakes region have extended the growing season. Lower NDVI values in Texas show the impact of low rainfall in the last few months.
