Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending March 19, 2017.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service County Agents
“Field operations picked up this week. Burndown and fertilizer applications led the way. Planters are being calibrated. With the 7-day weather forecast, corn planting should move quickly.”
Dr. Bill Burdine, Union County
“Last weeks below normal temps with lows in the mid 20’s during 2 nights proved that winter was still not over!! Most areas continue to be too wet for any appreciable fieldwork. Some fertilizer applications being applied to cool season forages.”
Terry Wayne “Skip” Glidewell, Prentiss County
“Looks like producers will get the opportunity to plant intended corn acres this week. Forecast is warm and dry through Friday.”
Preston Aust, Humphreys County
“Corn planting got underway this week on high ground that was dry enough. Low areas remain too wet for fieldwork. Livestock producers are carefully monitoring weather forecasts to make decisions relative to topdressing ryegrass pastures. Gardeners are getting prepared to plant vegetables as soil temperatures warm to ideal temperatures and threats of late-season frosts diminish.”
Lamar Adams, Pike County
“Cool season forages are doing well. Livestock are doing as expected, plenty of calves are on the ground already.”
Randall “Randy” H., Amite County
“This week’s cool weather has caused an extreme slowdown in the already weak annual rye-grass pastures county wide! We still need rain to recharge our pastures from last fall and winter drought.”
Bert Gilmore, Neshoba County
“Row crop farmers have not begun widespread fieldwork. Fruit orchards were affected by temperatures in the mid-20’s. Producers used fires to lessen cold weather effects.”
James Shannon, Pontotoc County
General Comments
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Mississippi, there were 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, March 19, 2017. Topsoil moisture supplies were 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 26 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus.
Low temperatures ranged from 28.7 degrees Fahrenheit at Corinth to 47.9 degrees Fahrenheit at Biloxi. High temperatures ranged from 44.6 degrees Fahrenheit at Verona to 66.4 degrees Fahrenheit at Crystal Springs. Most of the state received some rain with the northeast part of the state receiving the most at an average of 0.61 inches.
