ENTERPRISE THE WORTHING
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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LENNOX, SD PERMIT NO. 33
OCTOBER 2012
VOL. 6, NO. 10
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Drought affects early harvest yields BY WENDY SWEETER REPORTER
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of Lincoln and Turner counties in southeast South Dakota continue to see exceptional drought conditions. With the continued absence of significant rainfall in the area, producers started harvest nearly a month in advance of a normal year. And some, like Phil Smit, who farms east of Davis, have finished corn and soybean harvest for 2012. For the first time, Smit, like many others in South Dakota, combined corn before beans. “I don’t think I’ve ever done corn first,” he said. Fellow farmer Steve Sinning of Lennox, said he has started and finished harvesting his corn and thinks he will finish on soybeans by the end of the week. “We are easily, easily about a month early,” Sinning said. Both Smit and Sinning said that yields are significantly less than an average year. Sinning said the average yield he sees on corn is 130-150 bushels per acre. This year most of his fields were about 60-70 bushels. The corn has been coming out dry too at 12 percent to 14 percent moisture. Smit reported an average of 40-50 bushels per acre on corn. However, he did say that fields that saw an extra half-inch to an inch of rain this summer came out a little better at about 85 bushels. The surprising thing for Smit was that the test weight on his corn was still 60 pounds.
Steve Sinning combines soybeans south of Lennox Sept. 29. Soybeans are coming out very dry with 7 percent to 9 percent moisture. Yields are also low for soybeans at 10-20 bushels per acre. Aside from his crops, Smit said his cattle are feeling the effects of the drought. “Our cattle are not satisfied with the silage, basically because there’s no corn in it,” he said.
SDSU Extension climate field specialist Laura Edwards said the lack of rain during the summer has done its damage to crops. “Most of the major impacts of the summer have come and gone with the damage done to crops,” Edwards said. “There are some current concerns with planting winter wheat.” While it has been a couple of
years since Smit has planted winter wheat, he said other farmers in the area do not see good things for the crop this year. “A big thing is winter wheat. That is pretty much non-existent. Guys aren’t seeding it. I’ve heard guys are sending their seed back,” Smit said. Edwards said the main ongoing issue in the state is the soil
moisture and lack of recovery in soil moisture. “Without changes to improve soil moisture conditions across the state, we will be at higher risk for dryness impacts next year,” Edwards said. “Some time to recover exists this fall. But time is running out climatologically to get much precipitation.” ■ HARVEST, page 3
School Board forms planning committee for long term growth solutions ■ High enrollment numbers cause board to discuss building Middle School by 2015 A gas leak in Worthing caused the evacuation of the Worthing Elementary School August 31st. During Monday night’s School Board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Robert Mayer commented on how Paid for by Patty for House
smoothly the procedure went and thanked all of those involved for their efforts. The gas leak was caused when crews who were working on water and sewer lines when an excavator hit a gas line near 3rd Street and Juniper Street. The Worthing Fire Chief said the school wasn’t in any danger but evacuated the students as a precaution. Discussion was held regarding substitute teachers pay scales. Julie Hepler presented a handout to the board, she is the district coordinator for hiring the substitutes
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needed. She said, “It gives us a centralized database to call from.” Dr. Mayer also voiced his concern about growth issues within the district. “I don’t think it’s something we have to get overly excited about right now.” He explained that Kindergarten, first, second and third grade classes are in the upper 80’s and although the elementary schools are able to handle the numbers, he felt it would be a challenge for the middle school. Mayer said, “Last year we grew
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by two kids, this year by 30.” Several options Mayer gave would be to add on to the existing middle school, stating that it would alleviate the middle school growth issue, but not address the Lennox Elementary needs of the future. He also shared a vision for long range solution; to build a middle school over at the high school site. Mayer said, “There is land there. We would look at classrooms not a gym. A dozen classrooms at the minimum. I don’t know what that would be in dollars and cents, but we’d have to go to
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the people for that.” Mayer suggested creating a planning committee to begin the process. He said, “I think some action needs to be taken, Alan and I have had some discussion on this.” He suggested three citizens, three board members, and staff - which would be appointed by Mayer. Board member Sandy Poppenga said, “The sooner we start talking about it the more time the communities have to process it.” ■ SCHOOL BOARD, page 3
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