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| Between the Rows - June 23, 2010 (Tennessee, Michigan, Iowa, Kentucky) |
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Tennessee
Warm, humid weather in mid-June aided most crops, with a few intermittent showers hampering others, according to information from NASS, the National Weather Service and University of Tennessee extension.
NASS reported while the warm, humid weather was favorable for cotton and corn crops, those conditions interfered with hay harvesting.
“Frequent showers have made haymaking challenging,” said Lawrence County Agent Calvin Bryant, adding that other crops in his county look good.
“Soybean planting is near completion except for those to be planted behind wheat,” he said. “Corn and soybeans are progressing and looking really good. Some warm season vegetables are beginning to be harvested.”
The first cuttings of hay across the state are down 6 percent compared to last year at this time, and down 9 on average.
More than half the hay is rated in good condition, with 9 percent rated excellent, 30 fair, 7 poor and only 1 rated as very poor, according to NASS.
Tim Campbell, Dyer County agent, reports that all crops in his county are doing well. Planting is going well in Decatur County, but insects and disease are proving a nuisance to livestock, according to County Agent Steve Glass.
“Have had two outbreaks of blackleg and one of pink eye in cattle already. Flies are very bad on cattle now and most are spraying or fly tagging their cattle,” he said.
Ron Johnson, agent in Overton County, lives in one of the areas happy to have rainfall.
According to NASS, there were five days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending June 13. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 10 percent short, 79 adequate and 11 surplus.
By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent
Michigan
Rain was the largest factor affecting crop conditions in Michigan overall, for the week ending June 13. Four days were suitable for fieldwork, according to the NASS Michigan field office. Rain ranged from 0.31 inches in the central Lower Peninsula to 2.29 inches in the western Upper Peninsula.
Temperatures ranged from 1 degree below normal in the south-central Lower Peninsula to 3 degrees below normal in the western Upper Peninsula. Some farmers in northern Michigan appreciated the rain; it was a problem for others.
“They’re behind spraying for weeds because it’s been so wet,” said Bonita Hodge, an agricultural statistician at the NASS Michigan office. “They’re also behind cutting hay because it’s been so wet.”
Corn was in growth stages ranging from V4-V6. Soybean planting continued as weather permitted. Growth stages for soybeans ranged from V1-V4. The planting of dry beans was stalled because of the rains.
Sugar beet development continued and rows were filling quickly. Hodge noted that farmers were reporting problems with armyworms, especially in the wheat. “There’s fear they may get into the corn,” she said.
Overall, vegetables were progressing well; 97 percent of asparagus had been harvested as of June 13. Growers applied post-harvest herbicides and fertilizers. Carrots and onions were doing well. Tomatoes, snap beans, peppers and eggplant were progressing; some fields were flowering. Some tomato and pepper plants were tied and staked.
For fruit, growing degree days were still about a week ahead of normal. Tart cherries ranged in size from 12 mm in the northwest to 16-18 mm in the southeast. Blueberries were 11-12 mm in the southeast, with green fruit in the southwest. Apples ranged 20-21 mm in the northwest to 1.5-2 inches in the southwest.
By Kevin Walker
Michigan Correspondent
Iowa
The heavy rains that drenched cropland across most portions of Iowa are causing erosion in tilled fields, thwarting farmers’ efforts to complete a record planting season.
“The persistent and heavy rains are a real concern statewide, but especially in south-central and southeast Iowa that have been wetter all spring long,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.
The report said the weather gave Iowa farmers little opportunity to finish fieldwork. “Planting that has yet to be completed is becoming a concern because of the uncertainty of when it can get done,” the NASS report said. “Spraying has fallen behind schedule and rapid weed growth is starting to become a problem.”
While nearly all the expected corn has emerged but is turning yellow in wet areas, the report said 97 percent of soybeans have been planted and have emerged 92 percent – though they are “becoming highly concentrated with weeds.”
Alison Robertson, Iowa State University plant pathologist, said symptoms of anthracnose leaf blight, eyespot and common rust have shown up on corn, while brown spot and bacterial blight have appeared on soybeans in some areas. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said temperatures ranged from morning lows of 52 degrees at Sheldon and Sibley on June 9, to an afternoon high of 90 at Shenandoah on June 11.
By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent
Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Summer temperatures came early as state farmers endured 90-degree heat and scattered thunderstorms.
Soybean seeding was ahead of last year as of June 13, at 80 percent complete, compared to 64 last year and 78 for the five-year average, according to the latest report from the Kentucky Field Office of NASS. Most full-season beans are planted and wheat producers are finishing harvest before double-crop beans.
The NASS update reported, as of June 13, 75 percent of the soybeans planted had emerged, well ahead of the 47 last year and the five-year average of 64.
Some growers were replanting lost corn from May flooding and some are sowing seed in existing stands to strengthen them, noted NASS, but emerged corn is good for the most part, with warm temperatures and timely rains.
Eighty-eight percent of Kentucky’s burley tobacco crop has been planted, slightly ahead last year, which stood at 82 percent at this time, and the five-year average of 84. Dark tobacco was almost finished, with 92 percent of the crop planted, well ahead of last year’s 71 and the five-year average of 81.
By Tim Thornberry
Kentucky Correspondent |
| 6/23/2010 |
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