Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending June 19, 2016.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents
Bruce Garner, West Carroll Parish
“Heavy rains across the parish on Sunday night into Monday morning caused localized flooding of corn and soybean fields. Some soybean fields held water in excess 48 hours, couple that with daytime temps in the mid-90’s almost worst case scenario for flooded young soybeans. Rain fall stopped sweet potato planting and stop hay cutting.”
Vincent Deshotel, Saint Landry Parish
“Moderating temperatures are needed as the rice crop is heading at a rapid pace, yields could be affected, unless we get a break from the high temperatures certainly at night. Livestock are feeling the heat as well with limited day time grazing. High water temperatures in newly seeded crawfish ponds is not a good scenario for survival rates of brood stock. In the area of vegetable production, we are experiencing a rapid decline due to widespread disease issues related to excessive rain and now high temperatures.”
Jimmy Meaux, Calcasieu Parish
“Good week of drying weather after last week. Rice is heading and farmers are applying fungicides with not much of any disease pressure yet. Seeing some stink bug pressure and grasshoppers eating rice heads. Soybeans looking a little better after no rains this week. Hay producers still too wet to get into the fields. Cattle doing well with an abundance of grass.”
Henry Harrison, Washington Parish
“Some light to heavy showers, conditions were favorable for the harvesting of watermelons. Crop is excellent and should hold for several weeks. Others vegetables like tomatoes, okra are being impacted by insects and diseases.”
Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish
“Hot temperatures quickly dried fields between scattered showers. Cattle looked for shade as the hot sun and high humidity increased environmental stress on livestock and growers. Sugarcane continues to make excellent progress.
“Brown rust issues have subsided with the hot temperatures. West Indian cane fly levels and sugarcane borers control measures are becoming more of a concern. Early blight is starting to advance in spring tomato patches and stinkbug damage in home gardens is increasing. Hay producers need a harvest window to bale overgrown, and often weedy fields.”
Carol Pinnell-Alison, Franklin Parish
“We have received scattered showers which has helped row crops and pastures. Crops are looking good.”
General Comments
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, June 19, 2016. Topsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 11 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 10 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus.
Low temperatures ranged from 70.3 degrees Fahrenheit at Homer to 77.4 degrees Fahrenheit at Morgan City. Highs ranged from 88.0 degrees Fahrenheit at Crowley to 93.0 degrees Fahrenheit at Hodges Gardens. Scattered rain were prevalent throughout most of the state with some areas receiving very heavy rainfall. The northeast part of the state received the highest average of rain concentration at 3.57 inches.
