shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com March 29, 2016 • Page 9 Stored Soil Moisture Valuable to 2016 Yields BROOKINGS, S.D. - When it comes to yields, the importance of stored soil moisture at planting is often overlooked. However, due to above average temperatures this winter stored soil moisture could be an issue making crop water use a consideration when deciding on crop rotation. “Crop rotation and tillage practices have a huge impact on the amount of soil water depletion from the previous growing season and on the winter water recharge potential,” said Chris Graham, SDSU Extension Agronomist. Table 1 provides a list of common crops grown in the region with average depletion and recharge rates in North Dakota. Table 1. Soil water depletion from mid-May to midSeptember to a depth of 6 ft. over three years of study. Depletion Recharge Rank Average Depletion Rank Average Recharge Crop inches 5 Millet 3.8 2.2 5 3,4 Buckwheat 3.7 2.2 4 3,4 Chickpea 3.3 1.4 3 9 Lentil 3.2 1.5 2 8 Dry Pea 2.0 1.5 1 7 Average 3.9 1.9 Modified from Merrill et Sunflower 5.3 1.2 10 10 Corn 5.0 2.1 9 6 Sorghum 4.3 2.4 8 1,2 Spring Wheat 4.2 2.4 7 1,2 Canola 3.9 2.1 6 al., 2007 “Spring wheat and sorghum averaged the highest rate of recharge, but also had larger soil water depletion rates over other crops like field peas and lentils,” he said. “Conversely, the legumes tend to have lower soil water recharge over the winter, largely due to sparse residue left after harvest.” Importance of stored soil moisture Researchers as far back as the 1930s found that a soil profile to a depth of 3 feet that contained 20 percent stored moisture could dramatically decrease the odds of a wheat crop failure during drought. Graham explained that crops usually rely on a combination of seasonal rains and stored soil moisture to produce good yields; and a 25 percent decrease in stored soil moisture at planting forces the wheat plant to rely to a much greater extent on in-season rains. “In semi-arid regions of the Great Plains, winter recharge of the soil profile is extremely important for successful crop production,” Graham said. Above average temperatures this winter led to shallower frost depths in the soil profile. As a result, soils at nearly every location in the state have already thawed through the profile. “This will allow for better infiltration of moisture this spring. However, there is also a potential for increased loss of moisture on warm, windy days,” Graham said. The climate outlook for the spring season continues to project warmer than average temperatures. An area just south of South Dakota is currently favored to be wetter than average in the spring season. This could result in better emergence and stand conditions. Even after El Niño wanes this spring, warmer than average conditions are predicted throughout the growing season, which Laura Edwards, SDSU Extension Climate Field Specialist said could mean increased water demand from the crop. “Part of the water supply will need to come from the soil. However, if the forecast stands up, timely rains will be critical to meet the demands of crops later in the growing season,” Edwards said. Growing season precipitation often ranges from 12-16 inches in the western part of the state and more than 20 inches in the eastern part of the state. Rapid water uptake in wheat begins shortly after tillering and generally requires between 8 - 12 inches of water to get through heading and then another 6 - 10 inches during the grain fill period. niGrow Aberdeen Regional PQA & TQA Certification BROOKINGS, S.D. - In an effort to meet the continuing certification and re-certification needs of South Dakota’s swine producers and transporters, SDSU Extension will host Pork Quality Assurance-PLUS (PQA-PLUS) and Transportation Quality Assurance (TQA) certifications at the SDSU Extension Regional Center in Aberdeen (13 Second Ave. SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401) April 7, 2016. The PQA-PLUS training begins at 1 p.m. CST and the TQA training begins at 3 p.m. “Pork safety and animal well-being are top priorities for consumers and pork producers. Swine caregivers show their commitment to raising safe, wholesome pork by maintaining certifications in the industry quality assurance programs,” said Heidi Carroll, SDSU Exten- sion Livestock Stewardship Associate” To register for a training or for more information, please contact Heidi Carroll by email or 605.688.6623; or Bob Thaler by email or at 605.688.5435 and let them know which site you’d like to attend. The event is offered at no cost to producers. The Role of PQA-PLUS & TQA Packers continue to require swine caregivers and transporters to keep up-to-date on their certifications before accepting hogs. The commitments to these quality assurance programs by packers, producers and transporters each contributes to the safety and quality of our pork products. Other upcoming 2016 training dates for pork producers around South Dakota include: PQA-PLUS training dates: Mitchell, July 6, 2016 SDSU Extension Regional Center in Mitchell (1800 E. Spruce St., Mitchell, SD 57301), 1 to 3 p.m. (CST) St. Lawrence, October 13, 2016 - at Willie’s Bar & Grill (212 N. Commercial Ave., St. Lawrence, SD 57373), 1 to 3 p.m. (CST) TQA training dates: Mitchell, July 6 at the SDSU Extension Regional Center in Mitchell (1800 E. Spruce St., Mitchell, SD 57301), 3 to 5 p.m. (CST) St. Lawrence, October 13 at Willie’s Bar & Grill (212 N. Commercial Ave., St. Lawrence, SD 57373), 3 to 5 p.m. (CST) For assistance with directions, the Aberdeen Regional Center may be reached at 605.626.2870. niGrow When you place your ad in the classifieds! MV Shopper MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y In Print and Online! • Call 665-5884 M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Congratulates Mark’s Machinery, Inc. Yankton Prairie Family Business of The Year REAL ESTATE RENTALS AUTOMOTIVE EMPLOYMENT MERCHANDISE COUPONS the Missouri Valley Shopper and missourivalleyshopper.com is your complete source for buying and selling. Everything you need is just a click or call away! Place an ad today by calling 605.665.5584 MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y The 2016 Yankton Prairie Family Business of the Year recipient is sponsored annually by CorTrust Bank and this year’s recipient is Mark’s Machinery, Inc. Mark’s Machinery, Inc. has been in business since 1972. It began with 3 employees and now employs 47 people in its 2 locations. First generation owners Mark and Patricia Hunhoff work hand in hand with second generation, Kevin and Jill Hunhoff. The Hunhoff family is active in the Yankton community through the time, talent and treasure they provide many local organizations. Mark has been Chairman and served on Avera Sacred Heart Board of Directors, Mount Marty College Board of Directors and Avera Health Systems Finance Committee. He has also served as a member on the Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce Board and Ag Committee, Avera Sacred Heart Foundation Board, Yankton County Historical Society, Yankton County Safety Center Building Committee, Avera Health Systems Board, Lewis and Clark Health & Education Board, Tri-State Old Iron Club, Yankton Regional Aviation Association, Retail Farm Equipment Association of South Dakota and Minnesota, Case-IH Dealer Advisory Board, and Mitchell Technical Institute Advisory Board. Mark has been a volunteer for the Farm Safety for Kids Program and Junior Achievement. He has also received awards from United Way & Volunteer Services for Volunteer Award and the SD Association of Healthcare for Distinguished Trustee Award. Patty volunteers her time at The Center and Sacred Heart School. Kevin currently serves as a Board Member for the Chamber of Commerce and is on the Agri-Business Committee. Jill has served on the Ambassadors Committee and is a past Rotarian. Both families are active in the Catholic Church. Mark’s Machinery has been a financial supporter for the 4-H Club, The Boys & Girls Club and Yankton Area Ice Association along with many other organizations and clubs in Yankton and surrounding communities. Mark’s Machinery is proud of the loyalty and longevity of their employees; several have worked with the business for 30 years or more. Many of their customers are family businesses, and they are now serving the second and third generations of these families. Mark’s Machinery is very pleased that they have remained a family owned business in an industry that has experienced corporate consolidation over the years.