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| Row Crop Roundup - June 22, 2011 (Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa) |
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Michigan
Five days were suitable for fieldwork for the week ending June 12. It was the second week in a row where there were 5-7 days suitable, according to Jay Johnson, director of the NASS Michigan field office.
“The second straight week of good weather has allowed us to make a lot of progress,” he said. “We’re nearly caught up to normal. Conditions continue to be fairly good.”
According to NASS’ weekly crop report, the weather was nice and dry the first part of the week, but rain was welcome later as the ground began to dry out. Corn stages ranged from just emerging to V6 leaf stage on early-planted seeds. So far, crop condition for corn at this time of year is below average: 44 percent is listed as good, 37 percent fair and 10 percent excellent.
“It’s a little worse than last year, but it isn’t terrible,” Johnson said.
Crop progress for corn was as follows: planted, 96 percent versus a five-year average of 100; corn emerged, 78 percent versus a five-year average of 96. All hay, first cutting, was at 45 percent compared to a five-year average of 52.
Winter wheat was headed at 93 percent, versus a five-year average of 92. Soybeans planted were at 82 percent compared to a five-year average of 93, and they were emerged at 49 percent, versus a five-year average of 81.
Hot weather pushed fruit development to within one week of normal. Vegetable planting continued. Asparagus harvested was at 75 percent, versus an average of 81 percent.
By Kevin Walker
Michigan Correspondent
Iowa
Continued precipitation kept many Iowa farmers from spraying, sidedressing nitrogen and cutting and baling hay during the week of June 6-12, with rising waters from the Missouri River already flooding nearby farmland.
But State Meteorologist Harry Hillaker said, “Fortunately, most of the heavy rain fell outside of the Missouri River watershed, where flood waters from upstream were gradually rising through the week along Iowa’s western border.”
The June 13 Iowa Crop & Weather report said heavy rainfall in central and south-central Iowa caused ponding, while farmers continued moving grain and equipment to higher ground to avoid the rising water.
The report added although scattered hail fell across the state, little crop damage was reported.
The report said most of the corn has been planted with almost all emerged, while soybean planting is 98 percent complete, with 92 percent emerging; 30 percent of oats have headed, while the first-cutting alfalfa is 65 percent complete.
“In spite of the current weather conditions, it’s great to hear that progress was made in getting first-cutting hay baled last week,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “With the emergence of soybeans slightly ahead of schedule and the majority of corn in good shape, I think we are certainly headed in the right direction.”
Virgil Schmitt, Iowa State University extension field agronomist, however, said according to growing degree day accumulations, “stalk borers are starting to move from grassy areas into nearby cornfields along and south of I-80, and will soon move from grass into nearby cornfields north of I-80.”
With corn rootworm eggs now hatching, Schmitt advised farmers to “look for signs of feeding and the presence or absence of rootworm larvae on the roots or in the soil.”
By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent
Kentucky
Some might say it’s about time that nearly all seven days in a week were suitable for fieldwork, as last week. NASS’ Kentucky field office could finally say that corn planting was 97 percent complete as of June 12, with more than 87 percent having emerged. Emergence figures are still below last year’s, though, of 99 percent and the five-year average of 97.
While some fields were beginning to show stress from high temperatures and lack of rain, according to University of Kentucky extension ag meteorologist Tom Priddy, McLean County extension agent Greg Henson noted his county’s crops appreciated the weather.
“The good news for us is this crop is growing off nicely with last week’s hot weather,” he said. “We did get it in quickly, and except for the recent three-inch rain, most has emerged well. The storm did do some damage to the latest plantings in terms of emergence.”
There was much discussion on taking prevented planting payments for corn in Henson’s area. “The payments were sure attractive, but we’re not strangers to late-planted corn,” he said.
“Ultimately, most guys are telling me they’re within 90 percent of their early spring intentions on corn. Many seem to be expecting corn prices to keep creeping up, and if we can make a decent crop, we can still do better than prevented planting would.”
Soybean planting climbed to 65 percent, still behind last year’s 80 percent and the five-year average of 75. Reported emergence at 40 percent was way behind last year’s 73.
Wheat harvest was under way with generally good yields noted. “The earliest wheat harvest reports are pretty good,” said Henson. “I’ve even had one reported at 80 bushels an acre.”
By Susan Hayhurst
Indiana Correspondent
Tennessee
While the weather has shifted from wet and stormy to dry and hot, the state’s winter wheat crop appears to have embraced the change. According to a report from NASS, wheat farmers in the Volunteer State had harvested 37 percent of the crop by the end of the week ending June 12.
That was the most harvested at this time of year since 2006. Last year at this time, only 9 percent had been harvested; the five-year average is 18 percent. Progress for ripe winter wheat also was good, with 88 percent, compared to 66 this time last year and 70 for its five-year average.
After harvesting wheat, farmers started planting double-cropped soybeans. The majority of soybean, corn and cotton crops were rated in good condition, as were most of the state’s pastures, according to NASS.
Tim Campbell, Dyer County agent, reported heat and excessive moisture were factors for farmers to deal with in his county. “Extreme heat conditions are beginning to show effects on corn. Thrips numbers (insects) in our cotton are the highest ever seen.
“Good progress being made on soybean planting in creek bottoms and hill areas of the county. Farmers in river bottoms are still struggling with flooded acres. Wheat harvest has begun in full swing this week.”
“Hot weather has hurried the wheat crop up. Harvest was in full swing by Wednesday, which is the earliest anyone can remember. Quality and test weight have been good,” reported Ed Burns, agent for Franklin County.
The hot temps are affecting crops for certain regions, and those farmers hope they’ll see rain in their areas soon. “Another extremely hot and dry week has taken its toll on all crops. Corn is twisting during the day, pastures are drying up and newly-planted soybeans are in desperate need of moisture,” agent Calvin Bryant of Lawrence County said.
“Not a crop disaster yet, but need rain soon on late-planted corn and non-irrigated tobacco. Tomato growers are reporting delays in ripening and reduced fruit set due to heat. Wheat is ripening quickly,” reported Mannie Bedwell, agent for Hamblen County.
By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent |
| 6/23/2011 |
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