Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending August 21, 2016.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents
Frances Guidry, Jefferson Davis Parish
“Flooding rains last week caused major damage to many crops and displaced a lot of cattle.”
Jeremy Hebert, Acadia Parish
“Historic rainfall over last weekend occurred across south Louisiana. Rice harvest was well on its way to being complete but halted by rain. Rice heads sprouting are being reported. This will also reduce the amount of acreage for second crop. Some soybeans throughout the parish were completely submerged underwater while others remained high and dry.
“Water was slow to drain so the impact on how the soybeans will be affected will be noticed within the coming days and weeks. Pastures conditions went down fast. All of the rain and flooding created conditions where pastures were turned into lakes for a period of time.”
Jimmy Meuax, Calcasieu Parish
“It rained just about every day last week totaling about 6-8 inches. Some rice that was mature in the fields is starting to sprout. Some fields have water backing up on them from the bayou’s overflowing and can’t be drained. Some soybean fields are waterlogged also. Hay pastures are needing to dry to cut for only the second time. Tough week for area farmers.”
Reed Himel, Terrebonne Parish
“Had over 15 inches of rain spread over 4 days and it continues to rain. Work in field is slow.”
Mariah Simoneaux, Saint James and Assumption Parish
“Periodic rains continued during the past week. Many fields remain flooded. Sugarcane planting and soybean harvest is still delayed. Producers will need several days of dry, warm weather before they will be able to get back in the field.”
Stuart Gauthier, Iberia Parish
“Flooding in low lying areas from over 28 inches of rain put homes and farmland underwater. While some areas are starting to dry out, some fields have been submerged for over a week and will take additional time to drain. Continued showers are compounding the problem.
“Ripe rice that lodged is sprouting in the water and growers are struggling to drain fields and salvage the remainder of the crop. Rice growers are expecting to have lost at least 40 % of their yield potential. At least 25 % of the soybean crop has been lost.
“Sugarcane growers are expecting to have lost at least 3% of the cane that was already planted. Some cane is still standing in water and growers fear that yield may be impacted. Sugarcane growers are starting ripener applications this week in preparation for the start of grinding around Sept. 22nd. Bee producers lost up to 50 % of their hives. Cattle producers in low lying areas lost some calves, hay and had to relocate cattle to higher ground.”
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General Comments
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 1.2 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, August 21, 2016. Topsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 29 percent adequate, and 71 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 44 percent adequate, and 56 percent surplus.
Low temperatures ranged from 70.1 degrees Fahrenheit at Hodges Gardens to 80.2 degrees Fahrenheit at New Orleans. Highs ranged from 81.0 degrees Fahrenheit at Mooringsport to 92.2 degrees Fahrenheit at New Orleans. Scattered rainfall was received in some parts of the state this week and wet weather conditions throughout most of the state last week, where some areas received high flood waters. The northwest part of the state received the highest average of rain concentration at 5.94 inches.
