Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending September 7, 2014.
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, September 7, 2014. Topsoil moisture supplies were 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 54 percent adequate, and 35 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 26 percent surplus.
Low temperatures ranged from 68.9 degrees Fahrenheit at Calhoun to 78.0 degrees Fahrenheit at New Orleans. Highs ranged from 88.3 degrees Fahrenheit at Galliano to 93.3 degrees Fahrenheit at Shreveport. The precipitation for this week was spread throughout the state, with the highest concentration in the southwest part of the state averaging 2.36 inches.
Comments from Extension Agents
“Sugarcane farmers planting cane, cattlemen cutting hay, vegetable producers planting fall crops, citrus producers scouting for insects and diseases.”
— B Barton Joffrion Jr., Terrebonne Parish
“Rain is affecting soybean harvest and quality. Sugarcane planting all but stopped due to heavy afternoon showers. Commercial vegetables – okra production slowing, harvesting peas, rain hindering the planting of mustard greens.”
— Steve Borel, West Baton Rouge Parish
“Rice farmers continue to struggle to finish harvesting. Daily showers with muddy conditions and down rice make harvesting very difficult. Only a few isolated areas with soybean stink bugs. Insects in soybeans have been very light this year.”
— Frances Guidry, Jefferson Davis Parish
“Rain continues to hamper field progress. Cloudy wet weather is slowing soybean desiccation, and high moisture is preventing growers without drying bins from harvesting mature plants. Sugarcane planting has been slowed by wet conditions. As the sugarcane planting season is lengthened by wet weather, labor costs expand. Farmers hope to complete planting by the Oct. 1st start of grinding, but will need weather to cooperate. Rice harvest is nearly complete. Hay fields are rank with weeds and need to dry out to allow a final fall cutting.”
— Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish
“Harvest has been delayed and strung out like in most other Central and South Louisiana parishes due to the rains. Field conditions are going to require some work resulting in added expense this fall and next spring. Some grain quality issues are showing up. A drier weather pattern is needed. The cattle market remains very positive but producers’ efforts for making hay have been limited by rain. Fall and winter pasture plantings near with some preparation taking place.”
— Vincent Deshotel, Saint Laundry Parish
