Crop progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 12, 2014.
GENERAL: According to the National Agriculture Statistics Service’s Alabama Field Office, there were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, October 12 2014. Precipitation estimates for the state ranged from 0.00 inches in Greensboro to 4.74 inches in Huntsville. Average mean temperatures ranged from 73.0°F in Muscle Shoals to 77.4°F in Montgomery.
EXTENSION/FSA COMMENTS:
A majority of cotton has been defoliated. Excessive rain at the end of this week has hampered harvest. Possible severe weather is predicted for the upcoming week which has the potential to negatively impact cotton condition.
–Eric Schavey, ACES REA, Franklin County.
We received a good rain over the weekend.
— Tim Malone, FSA CED, Marion, Winston Counties.
Warm season pastures are in steep decline and providing significantly less available forage for grazing. Winter pastures are being planted but dry conditions have limited growth. Light rain late in the week may provide some relief.
— Henry Dorough, ACES REA, Blount, Calhoun, Jefferson, Marshall, St. Clair Counties.
Lots of winter grazing has been put in the ground and needs a good rain as we will need additional grazing by November and December.
— Jack Tatum, ACES REA, Chambers, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Lee, Randolph, Shelby, Talladega, Tallapoosa Counties.
Moderate to heavy rains halted most fieldwork near the end of the week, but progress was made on soybean and cotton harvest. Reported soybean yields were in the 30-40 bushel/acre range. The service center received 2.5 inches of rain for the week.
— Jeffery Smith FSA CED, Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa Counties.
Monroe County cotton and peanut producers have been busy harvesting this past week. Lack of rain has caused peanut digging to be very difficult with the hard ground. Blades are having to be replaced every 15 acres. For the most part peanut yields are favorable. Defoliation is in full force and some cotton has been harvested. Yields are down from last year. Pastures continues to be in poor condition. Soybeans are being harvested but no report on yields at this time.
— Karen McDonald-Minor, FSA CED, Monroe County.
We received just enough rain to dig peanuts well. Most dryland peanuts were yielding and grading poorly. Some cotton was also being harvested with fair yields. We need more rainfall to plant small grains for grazing in the next few weeks.
— James Jones, Jr., ACES CEC, Henry County.
Several other reports were received highlighting the dry conditions and indicating the continued need for rain.
