Mississippi Field Reports: Rains Slow Harvest, Crops Look Good

Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending August 14, 2016.

Comments from Cooperative Extension Service County Agents

Drew Wilson, Quitman County
“Crops look good. Could use some rain across the county, and it looks like we may get some this week. Armyworms are building quickly. Have not seen them in fields at threshold yet, but they are in turf and on the turn rows really heavy. We are close on irrigation termination for some early soybeans, and have reached black layer on our earlier planted corn. Depending on weather, I would expect corn harvest to begin next week.”

Preston Aust, Humphreys County
“Scattered showers slowed down corn harvest throughout the week. Rainfall totals were very minimal, but the showers and cloud cover were too frequent to allow much in the way of drying. Areas of the county are experiencing drought conditions. Other crops enjoyed the cooler weather mixed with showers. Early planted soybeans are being to color as the rest of the crop is still being irrigated. Conditions have also caused major shedding of fruit on a large portion of the cotton crop.”

Allan “Keith” Whitehead, Franklin County
“Some areas received heavy afternoon downpours in the past 7-10 days. This has greatly improved pasture conditions but has hindered hay harvest with many fields now past maturity and quality is on the decline. In bermudagrass hay fields the hot humid conditions has caused diseases in the lower canopy to flourish while stem maggot injury and fall armyworm pressure is also very heavy.”

Christian Stephenson, Hancock County
“High levels of rainfall for the week leading to flooding in limited areas in the county. High rainfall and warm temperatures have increased concern regarding fungal plant disease.”

General Comments

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Mississippi, there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, August 14, 2016. Topsoil moisture supplies were 10 percent very short, 22 percent short, 57 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 5 percent very short, 31 percent short, 53 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus.

Low temperatures ranged from 72.1 degrees Fahrenheit at Ashland to 78.2 degrees Fahrenheit at Columbus. Highs ranged from 85.3 degrees Fahrenheit at Biloxi to 92.6 degrees Fahrenheit at Lambert. Most of the state received some rain with the coastal part of the state receiving the most at an average of 4.37 inches.