Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 5, 2014.
GENERAL: According to the National Agriculture Statistics Service’s Alabama Field Office, there were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, October 5, 2014. Precipitation estimates for the state ranged from 0.43 inches in Huntsville to 1.30 inches in Mobile. Average mean temperatures ranged from 67.2°F in Anniston to 71.1°F in Montgomery.
EXTENSION/FSA COMMENTS:
We received about one-half inch of rain last week but it was so dry it went away very quickly. It will, however, help double crop beans. Cotton picking should begin soon.
— Tim Malone, FSA CED, Marion, Winston Counties.
We received a good rain last Thursday night. It will help with fescue and winter grazing.
— Jack Tatum, ACES REA, Chambers, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Lee, Randolph, Shelby, Talladega, Tallapoosa Counties.
Early maturing varieties of soybeans are continuing to provide outstanding yields – in the 60 and 70 bushel/acre range. Double crop soybeans should yield a little less due to the dry weather we have experienced for the past three weeks. Corn harvest is nearing completion with outstanding yields for the most part. Cotton harvest should begin next week – very good yields are projected. Rain fell over the majority of the county last Friday morning with most areas getting 1.30 inches.
— Donald Mann, FSA CED, Jackson County.
A mostly dry week allowed cotton and peanut producers to make progress with harvest and defoliation applications. Early planted soybean harvest was gearing up also. The Service Center received 0.3 inches for the week.
— Jeffery Smith FSA CED, Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa Counties.
The water table is still low and pastures are being affected. The grounds is too dry and hard to dig peanuts at this point.
— Karin Knowles, FSA CED, Covington County.
We need a rain across all crops. We are still waiting for rain to plant small grains for grazing. Peanut harvest is well underway. Cotton is also being harvested. Yields are variable on both crops.
— James Jones, Jr., ACES CEC, Henry County.
Peanut harvesting is just about two weeks later than normal, which puts most of the cotton in a waiting mode. Some cotton has been defoliated; but little, if any, has been harvested. The rain over the weekend was needed as the soils are very dry. More rainfall would also help pastures and hayfields.
— Willie Durr, ACES CEC, Houston County.
Several other reports were received highlighting the dry conditions and indicating the continued need for rain.
ACRONYMS: ACES – Alabama Cooperative Extension System; CEC – County Executive Coordinator; CED – County Executive Director; FSA – Farm Service Agency; PT – Program Technician; REA – Regional Extension Agent
