Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending August 16, 2015.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents
Carol Pinnell, Franklin Parish
“Corn harvest almost complete. Some soybeans harvested, early soybean harvest will start next week. We are still very dry.”
Donna Morgan, Rapides Parish
“Dry conditions allowed corn and sorghum harvest to continue. Good-excellent yields reported so far. Sugarcane planting is progressing as well.”
Vincent Deshotel, Saint Landry Parish
“The corn and grain sorghum harvest are near complete. The rice harvest is well underway. Producers have had some relieve in areas with isolated rain showers but more is needed for crops to benefit, soybean and sugarcane crops are suffering the most at this point. Yield reports are good on corn, grain sorghum, and rice. Some early soybeans offered good yields as well but the remainder of the crop is questionable after suffering from the extended dry period and high temperatures.”
Barrett Courville, Acadia & Jefferson Davis Parishes
“Still very dry. Rice harvest making excellent progress. Producers applying fertilizer and flooding fields for ratoon crop. Soybeans desperately need a rain. No insect or disease being reported in soybeans.”
Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish
“Hot, dry conditions have slowed crop development and will likely lower later planted soybean yields. Early planted beans are being harvested with yield reports in the 30-50 bushel range. Cane planting is being slowed by short cane height and overly dry planting conditions. Grain sorghum and rice yields continue to be disappointment with most growers reporting a fair to poor harvest. Dry conditions have stopped pasture and hay field growth. Rain is needed for conditions to improve.”
Mariah Bock, Saint John the Baptist Parish
“Drought beginning to take a toll on production quality.”
General Comments
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, August 16, 2015. Topsoil moisture supplies were 39 percent very short, 43 percent short, 18 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 34 percent very short, 40 percent short, 26 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus.
Low temperatures ranged from 61.2 degrees Fahrenheit at Alexandria to 80.5 degrees Fahrenheit at New Orleans. Highs ranged from 92.6 degrees Fahrenheit at Morgan City to 102.8 degrees Fahrenheit at Hodges Gardens. Hot, dry weather conditions throughout most of the state with scattered rain in some areas, with the highest rain concentration in the east central part of the state with an average of 1.61 inches.
