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| Between the Rows - June 16, 2010 (Kentucky, Michigan, Iowa) |
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Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As the tobacco and soybean crops reach the three-quarter mark of planting intention, the state’s winter wheat crop is entering the harvest stage with a significant drop from last year.
According to information from the Kentucky NASS office, based on crop conditions as of June 1, wheat production stood at a 3 percent decrease from the May estimate and the expected 2010 crop will be down 15 percent from 2009.
Part of the decline can be contributed to the May flooding that destroyed a portion of the crop. Yield estimates are expected to be 63 bushels per acre which is actually an increase over last year but of the 450,000 acres of wheat seeded in the fall, 150,000 not harvested for grain were used as plow down prior to setting tobacco or harvested as hay or silage, noted the NASS report.
The hot, dryer weather helped planting intentions but scattered thunderstorms kept some hay cutting at bay.
Kentucky’s corn crop stood at 98 percent emerged compared with 84 percent last year and the five-year average of 93 percent.
The condition of the crop as of last week was rated at 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 52 percent good and 17 percent excellent.
Soybean planting was 77 percent complete as of the June 7 NASS report and 75 percent of the burley tobacco crop had made its way into the ground. Dark tobacco planting jumped to 75 percent complete ahead of the 54 percent last year and the five year average of 65 percent according to the NASS.
By Tim Thornberry
Kentucky Correspondent
Michigan
June weather favors planting across Michigan, recent rains make crops look good. Four days were suitable for field work during the week ending June 6, according to the Michigan Field office of the USDA National Agricultural Statics Service. Although earlier rainy weather hindered field activities it aided emergence and development of crops. “Most of the rain was beneficial for all crops except the most recently planted dry beans. First rains were welcomed, but now it is getting a little excessive,” stated one reporter in the east central region.
Corn was in growth stages ranging from V4 to V5. Due to quick growth, plants were spindly and were easily knocked down in the southwest. Some fields showed signs of nitrogen deficiency or nitrogen burn. In the south central region, crop producer Ned Bever, Reading reported that although the corn fields may not look great, the stands are good throughout the area.
Soybean planting continued as weather permitted. Fields were in growth stages ranging from V1 to V4. Fields that drowned out have been or will be replanted. Drybean planting continued as conditions permit. Planted fields have emerged or were emerging rapidly.
While wheat development continued results of powdery mildew, Septoria, and leaf rust also continued. The presence of Fusarium head blight (scab) caused growers some concern, especially with increased wet weather. Oats and barley were progressing well. In Central Michigan, alfalfa weevils were feeding. Growers are expecting a good second cutting due to moisture levels.
Precipitation varied from 0.75 inches in the west central Lower Peninsula to 3.11 inches in the east central Lower Peninsula. Producers fell behind on spraying. Northwestern Michigan was still on the dry side last week, with the rains missing parts of the region. Average temperatures ranged from 1 degree above normal in the western Upper Peninsula to 5 degrees above normal in the southeastern Lower Peninsula.
By Melissa Hart
Michigan Correspondent
Iowa
The latest round of thunderstorms that brought with them scattered rain, strong winds and hail across portions of Iowa had once again hindered fieldwork for state growers.
“Unfortunately, storms and heavy rain have caused some damage, but in general, much of the state remains in good condition,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.
The June 7 Iowa Crop and Weather Report, released by the USDA, said this planting season has been the worst since 2008 and 2009 for producers in a few southeast Iowa counties.
“Localities hit with large amounts of rain reported standing water and erosion,” the report said, “while western Iowa reported hail and high winds that caused minor crop damage.”
The report said almost all of the expected corn has emerged, while soybean planting increased to 95 percent, emerging 82 percent.
When weather permitted farmers to get back into fields, the report said they concentrated on harvesting hay, spraying herbicides, planting soybeans, or re-planting in some cases. The first cutting of alfalfa is well under way as well.
Bob Hartzler, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension weed scientist, said now that the corn has been sprayed with post-emerge herbicide, it’s time for farmers to turn their attention to soybeans.
Water hemp and giant ragweed are two species that soybean producers need to keep an eye on, as they spread rapidly and have shown resistance to glyphosate,” he said.
State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said temperature extremes for the week both came on Tuesday (1st) with a morning low of 45 degrees at Elkader and an afternoon high of 91 degrees at Ankeny.
By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent |
| 6/16/2010 |
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