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| Row Crop Roundup - July 6, 2011 (Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Iowa) |
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Michigan
Crop growth stage and condition is highly variable throughout Michigan. Two weeks ago, precipitation varied throughout the state. Rainfall in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula (L.P.) ranged from 0.89 to more than 5 inches in localized areas, while the Upper Peninsula received from 2.01-2.36 inches.
Wet weather kept farmers out of the fields most of the week; however, the healthy amount of rainfall aided plant growth in most field crops.
Ponding resurfaced in several areas. Rain improved pasture and alfalfa quality. In some areas of the state, first cutting alfalfa has been delayed because of rain, while other areas have started a second cutting.
According to the latest agricultural summary from the Michigan NASS field office, wheat was filling kernels as it headed toward maturity. Several fields were lying down in West Michigan, from high winds.
Dry bean emergence has been rapid with adequate moisture and temperatures.
With nearly 100 percent of the state’s dry beans planted, 81 percent were emerged, up from 77 percent this time last year. Some farmers reported they will be replanting some fields of dry beans.
Corn and soybean planting is done. Corn ranged in stages from VE to V10. Growers continued to sidedress nitrogen. Soybean aphids have been reported in low levels throughout the southern L.P.
Because of delayed planting this spring, the state’s oat crop is only 41 percent headed, down from 87 percent at this time last year.
Farmers continued with weed control as conditions allowed.
By Shelly Strautz-Springborn
Michigan Correspondent
Kentucky
Since nearly two inches of rain fell throughout the Bluegrass State last week, crops are doing much better, according to Tom Priddy, Kentucky extension agricultural meteorologist.
“While the recent above-normal temperatures and dry conditions caused tremendous concern, a week of widespread rain relieved that problem,” he said.
Some producers might normally say they’re getting to a crucial time regarding weather conditions and crops, but Priddy is a little more relaxed because of the recent rain. “Had we stayed dry, I would have said this week would have been a much more crucial period. But, in fact, we are still a couple weeks behind corn tasseling and silking.
“Hot, dry weather is very hard on corn at this stage and can reduce yields. The current medium-range outlooks through the middle of July for Kentucky call for near normal temperatures and above normal rainfall.”
According to NASS, corn tasseling was 9 percent complete as of June 26, compared to 40 percent last year. Corn silking was 2 percent complete, compared with 15 percent a year earlier. Corn condition was rated 59 percent good.
Soybean planting is making solid progress, with 85 percent now complete, even though it’s behind last year’s 94 percent and the five-year average of 92. Sixty-six percent of emerged soybean conditions were rated good.
Second cuttings of hay are coming along well, said Priddy, and the additional moisture is causing soft soils for easier planting for double-cropped beans.
By Susan Hayhurst
Indiana Correspondent
Tennessee
The 2011 spring planting is almost done, and most crops in Tennessee seemed to have fared well despite extremes in weather. Despite tornadoes, floods, extreme heat, drought-like conditions and disaster-zone designations for 13 counties (with an expected 29 more), cotton, soybeans, corn, wheat and tobacco have made it through and are rated as in mostly good condition, according to reports from NASS and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Soybean acreage is at 1.38 million acres, which is less than what it was in 2010 but more than in previous years. Corn, conversely, is up this year at 770,000 acres, 50,000 fewer than before. Total tobacco, wheat and cotton acreages have increased this year, also.
Tobacco is expected to increase by 9 percent over last year, with a total of nearly 25,000 acres.
However, the victory cup for a crop not only surviving but seeming to thrive on weather extremes goes to this year’s wheat crop, which increased 50 percent, for a total of more than 300,000 acres. Despite extremes in weather and being planted late, winter wheat is expected to yield more than its five-year average.
From a winning crop to a losing one: They say don’t make hay while the sun shines. Apparently, it doesn’t help to make hay while it’s flooding, either, because this year’s crop decreased.
Tennessee’s hay harvest is expected to be nearly two million acres, down 2 percent from last year. While the first cutting looks good, some hay will not be harvested because of rains and flooding that hit the state this spring.
By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent
Iowa
With heavy rain and thunderstorms keeping most Iowa farmers out of their fields the week of June 20-26, sunshine and heat are needed as saturated fields continue to hamper spraying and hay-baling.
The June 27 Iowa Crop & Weather report stated ponding and flooding were still occurring in the western third of the state, with straight-line winds causing some corn to lay over.
“This was the sixth week of the past seven to average wetter than usual,” said State Meteorologist Harry Hillaker. “Missouri River levels continued to rise slowly during the week, with new record crests established in Mills and Fremont counties.”
The report said corn condition was 24 percent excellent, with soybean condition at 20; 76 percent of oats has headed and 3 percent turned color. The report added that first-cutting alfalfa hay is 79 percent complete, and second-cutting is 3 percent complete.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources also reminded residents of Jackson, Allamakee and Winneshiek counties that pheromone flakes will be released from low-flying airplanes July 27-28. It’s part of a nine-state effort (which includes Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin) to slow the spread of gypsy moths, which are destructive to trees and shrubs. State Entomologist Robin Pruisner said treatments will only be applied to the “tree canopy; not row crops, pasturelands or waterways.”
By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent |
| 7/6/2011 |
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