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| Row Crop Roundup - June 15, 2011 (Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa) |
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Michigan
Michigan farmers made much progress planting soybeans and corn last week, although several fields still had wet spots they had to plant around.
According to the agricultural summary from the Michigan NASS field for the week ending June 6, temperatures ranged from 5-6 degrees above normal in the Upper Peninsula and 6-7 degrees above normal in the Lower Peninsula, with little to no rainfall. Warm, dry weather coupled with wind helped to dry soils.
Farmers reported half the state’s soybean crop was planted, down from 85 percent this time last year. Of that, 25 percent has emerged, down from 65 percent last year. Michigan State University extension educators throughout the state reported bean leaf beetle damage and are encouraging farmers to scout.
“Many fields are weedy and control will be necessary as soon as possible to avoid yield loss. This is a year to scout regularly,” reported Paul Gross, extension educator in central Michigan.
Corn planting is nearly complete, with farmers reporting every size and growth stage from just emerging to 15 inches tall. According to the crop summary, 82 percent of the state’s corn crop was planted and 58 percent emerged, compared to 96 percent of corn in the ground and 91 percent emerged at this time last year.
“Early-planted corn looks very good and sidedress operations are under way,” reported Bruce Mackellar, extension educator in southwestern Michigan. “Perhaps the largest challenge for corn is weed control. Many producers were not able to keep up with the spraying of pre-emergence (and) delayed pre-emergence weed control programs.
“A good portion of the fields are now approaching the 12-inch height restriction for some of these programs. The high temperatures have really pushed weed growth into high gear, where weeds such as giant ragweed are beginning to push the size envelope for easy control.”
In other crops, hay harvest began in earnest last week, with farmers reporting good progress being made. Wheat was heading out and oats and barley continued to look good. Potato planting neared completion, and dry bean planting started in some areas.
By Shelly Strautz-Springborn
Michigan Correspondent
Kentucky
State producers played catch-up last week as the rains stopped and temperatures soared. With that, corn planting reached the 90 percent level, according to the NASS’ Kentucky field office. That is still slightly behind the 95 percent point normally seen at this time of year.
Of the corn that has been planted, 75 percent has emerged, compared with 97 percent a year ago and 92 percent for the five-year average.
Soybean planting is not as far along, as only 40 percent of the crop had been planted by June 5. That is off last year’s mark of 75 percent and the five-year average of 64 percent.
Burley tobacco planting is behind, as well. As of last week, 57 percent of the crop had been set, compared to 71 percent in 2010 and 70 percent over a five-year period. What burley has been set is reported as 58 percent good and 9 percent excellent condition.
The dry weather allowed the state’s first hay cutting of the year to continue although yields still remained below expected levels.
Winter wheat numbers look good, as producers are expected to produce 27.9 million bushels, according to the latest NASS estimates. If those numbers hold, this would represent an increase of 69 percent over the 2010 crop. Yield was forecast at 68 bushels per acre, up two from last year.
By Tim Thornberry
Kentucky Correspondent
Tennessee
The excessive rainfall that has plagued much of the state for the last few weeks has given way to high temperatures, which have aided some farmers as they plant. Temperatures were up and precipitation was below normal across the state, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Temps averaged 10 degrees above normal across the state, with little or no rain recorded for the week ending June 5. Not only did the lack of excessive rain help farmers, Gov. Bill Haslam last week also helped them by having 15 counties declared natural disaster areas, thus making them qualify for federal financial assistance.
“This year has been especially tough on farmers who have been battling two fronts – severe storms and historic flooding,” Haslam said. “We want to help our farmers get back into business as soon as possible. I’m glad to make this request for federal assistance, and I’m prepared to make requests for additional counties as damages are more fully known.”
According to a report from NASS, about all of the state’s corn crop was planted by the end of the week.
The state’s winter wheat crop turning color also benefited from the warm weather, and should be ready for harvest this week. Tobacco transplanting was able to continue and had, by week’s end, reached its five-year average, according to NASS.
Not all crops were doing so well in the above-average heat. Cotton and soybean crops were behind their five-year averages even though they had seen a week of steady progress, the report stated.
There was an average of 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork across the state. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 23 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 12 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus, according to NASS and the NWS.
By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent
Iowa
For nearly a month, Iowa farmers operating near the Missouri River have been closely monitoring the water level as some move grain and machinery to higher ground to prepare for possible flooding.
“Although we are concerned about the current conditions near the Missouri River, the more favorable weather we’ve seen this week has shown to be productive,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “My hope is that conditions will allow farmers to finish their planting and continue weed control.”
The June 6 Iowa Crop & Weather report said “warmer weather and sunshine prompted substantial crop growth” and “relief from windy conditions allowed spraying, although many farmers are still waiting for an opportunity to spray.” Kirk Schwarte, Iowa State University crops specialist at the ISU Armstrong Research and Demonstration Farm near Lewis, said although most of the fields have been sprayed at least once, “you can still find a field green with weeds every now and then.”
The report said nearly all of Iowa’s corn has been planted, with 96 percent emerging. Soybean planting is 94 percent complete, with 78 percent emerging; however, the south-central portion of Iowa remains behind, with just 76 percent of soybeans planted.
So far, only 9 percent of the oat crop has headed, compared to 26 percent in 2010; the first cutting of alfalfa, at 33 percent complete, is well behind last year’s 60 percent, the report said.
State Meteorologist Harry Hillaker said “temperature extremes for the week ranged from a Wednesday morning low of 44 degrees at Sibley to a Friday afternoon high of 98 degrees at Clarion.”
By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent |
| 6/15/2011 |
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