Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending August 30, 2015.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents
Jason Holmes, Union Parish
“Drought conditions continue. Majority of cattlemen now feeding hay due to short pasture. At this point in time, it appears that stored forage will be in short supply due to drought and growing hours shortening.”
Carol Pinnell, Franklin Parish
“We are very dry. Pastures need rain. Early planted soybean harvest is progressing.”
Vincent Deshotel, Saint Landry Parish
“All crop conditions are stable. The soybean harvest is sporadic with reasonable yields being reported on early planted soybeans. Rice harvest near completion with late planted crawfish fields to be harvested. Sugarcane acres are being planted and sweet potatoes near harvest. Cattleman prepare to market the spring calf crop and continue to make hay. Winter pasture preparation will begin soon.”
Andrew Granger, Vermillion Parish
“Dry conditions allowed for hay harvest and sugarcane planting to resume and made for good rice harvest conditions. Cattle ranchers continue to wean and market calves.”
Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish
“Farmers returned to the fields as drying conditions returned. Cooler weather and a north wind enhanced harvest progress and made sugarcane planting more bearable. The fall pecan crop appears light. Rains last week appears to have given the sugarcane crop a needed growth spurt. Soybean harvest continues to give yield reports in the 40 to 50 bushel range.”
B Barton Joffrion Jr., Terrebonne Parish
“Soybean harvest started. Sugarcane planting continuing. Citrus producers scouting trees. Cattlemen cutting hay. Vegetable producers planting fall crops.”
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 30, 2015. Topsoil moisture supplies were 25 percent very short, 34 percent short, 37 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 21 percent very short, 34 percent short, 40 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus.
Low temperatures ranged from 59.4 degrees Fahrenheit at Calhoun to 74.7 degrees Fahrenheit at New Orleans. Highs ranged from 87.9 degrees Fahrenheit at Homer to 93.7 degrees Fahrenheit at Alexandria. Dry weather conditions with scattered rain were prevalent throughout most of the state, with the highest rain concentration in the southwest part of the state with an average of 1.31 inches.
