According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Mississippi, there were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, September 27, 2015. Topsoil moisture supplies were 35 percent very short, 42 percent short, 21 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture supplies were 32 percent very short, 40 percent short, 25 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Low temperatures ranged from 55.6 degrees Fahrenheit at Hickory Flat to 68.7 degrees Fahrenheit at Biloxi.
Highs ranged from 82.0 degrees Fahrenheit at Ashland to 92.6 degrees Fahrenheit at Monticello. Most of the state received some rain with the coastal part of the state receiving the most at an average of 1.02 inches.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service County Agents
Don Respess, Coahoma & Quitman Counties: “We have started picking cotton. Corn and sorghum harvest is about over and we are making progress with our rice. We are getting a lot of fall tillage work done with this dry weather.”
Stephen “Steve” R. Winters, Grenada County: “Everything is finished except for some late beans. Defoliants are going out in blocks. This week saw the second block getting its first shot. We will start picking our first block of cotton starting Monday or Tuesday. Cattlemen are holding up on planting ryegrass due to extremely dry pastures.”
Lester Stephens, Washington County: “Harvest is beginning to wind down. The overall crops were down from the last three or four years.”
Reid Nevins, Lowndes County:“Peanut harvest has begun, but due to the dry weather most producers have quit digging as a result of the hard, dry soil conditions. Late planted soybeans could use rain to help with pods filling out as well.”
James “Randall” Nevins Adams, Monroe County: “It was a dry week for most of the county. Some of the peanuts were being dug the past few weeks and some farmers were able to harvest peanuts. Soybeans are getting ready for harvest within the next few weeks. Cotton is also close to being picked. Livestock producers are sowing ryegrass in their pastures for winter grazing and hay production is on the downhill.”
