Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending August 3, 2014.
Pennsylvania had an average of 5 days suitable for field work last week. The average height of emerged corn is 76 inches with some crops entering the early dough phase. Winter wheat harvests are nearing completion while oats have nearly all finished coloring.
First cuttings of other hay are nearly complete and some have already begun with a third cutting. Early apple harvests remain on schedule while peaches continue to lag behind. Frequent rains have led to delays with hay and oat harvests. Pests, such as Mexican and Japanese beetles as well as downy mildew, have been spotted with increasing frequency on soybeans.
Temperatures will range from the low to high 80’s with partial cloud cover and occasional thunderstorms early in the week. Main field activities for the week will be harvesting, spraying, bailing and spreading manure.
REPORTERS COMMENTS, By County
Reporters are from Extension Service (Ext), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Conservation District (CD), farmers, commodity specialists, or other knowledgeable individuals.
ADAMS County, Judy A. Behney
Adams County started the week out with Monday morning temperatures around 67 degrees. Monday was also wet from Sunday nights thunderstorms in the county but temperatures reached 70 degrees. Some areas of county received some showers that evening. Tuesday morning started at 59 degrees and cloudy the high was 60’s. Wednesday sunny blue skies morning temperature was 50 degrees. Daytime got into the 70’s with no humidity. Thursday morning 59 degrees foggy early then sun burned through. Some mornings felt like fall temperatures. Weekend was nice weather and Sunday afternoon/evening thunderstorms rolled through the area with York Springs receiving 2 inches of rainfall. Corn and soybeans continue to grow. This week’s cooler weather may have slowed progression of crops. Hay continues to be baled and rains we received last Sunday have improved the crops somewhat. Oats continues to mature and will be harvested shortly. Fruit crops continue to size their crop. Peaches are being harvested and have nice flavor. Some early apples are also being harvested. Sweet corn is being harvested which is the early planted sweet corn and also multiple kinds of other vegetable are being harvested and enjoyed by all. Overall the producers are still pretty busy around their farms with keeping track of status of their planted crops, baling hay, mowing around their fields etc. They keep hoping for regular rainfall to help their crops till harvest time.
ADAMS County, Thomas Kerr
Some ore general showers helped this week, but still generally dry. Peach harvest is well under way and yields are showing up shorter than expected with many yields now placed at 50% to 60% of normal, but quality is excellent. Prices are expected to hold well throughout the season. Apples are anticipated to be about 75% of normal.
BEAVER County, Luke Fritz
Producers continue to have difficulty making dry hay. Wheat harvest is complete, oats harvest waiting on good dry days.
CAMBRIA County, Dolly Little
Severe thunderstorms on Sunday – 1.3 inches of rain and 6 PM and another 1 inch during the night.
CENTRE County, Dick A. Decker
A week of showers provided time to catch up on indoor chores. Crops and weeds growing well. No dry hay made during the week. 3 inches in the rain gauge.
COLUMBIA County, John Yocum
Some wilting of corn and soybean during the day-recovery at night.
FOREST County, Tom Tanner
The wet weather has made it difficult for controlling weeds.
JUNIATA/SNYDER County, William C. Sheaffer
Crops are progressing very well. Dry haymaking is difficult. Activities for the week were harvesting, spraying, baling straw and spreading manure.
LEBANON County, Charlene Ziegler
There were storms over the county early in the week. The rain amounts varied greatly from 1/2 inch to 2 inches depending on the area. Hay and alfalfa was cut and baled. Soybeans in the areas that did not have a lot of rain have plants that look good but pods are not filling out.
MERCER County, Jim Rust
Last week’s rain and cloudy days resulted in another week of no progress in hay making. It has rained in some form for the last five days. Corn fields have a variety of corn heights, yellow corn, and tassels in different stages.
YORK County, John Rowehl
Thunderstorms brought a significant and much needed rain to areas of the county as corn is filling ears. Mexican Bean Beetle populations increasing on soybeans. Other soybean pests observed are downy mildew and Japanese Beetles.
