Alabama Field Reports: Severe Storms Disrupt Some Corn Planting

Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending April 9, 2017.

County Comments

Beverly Noles, DeKalb County
Rainfall is still adequate for this time of year. Pastures are recovering somewhat, but the cover may be mostly weeds and wild grasses. Most will need to be reseeded due to the recent drought. The wheat crop is good. Potato producers have nearly completed planting. Corn producers are looking to begin planting as soon as the field conditions are dry enough. They anticipate beginning next week.

Henry Dorough, Talladega County
Heavy rain, wind, and hail from severe storms led to some lodging of wheat, hail damage, and flooding in some early planted corn. Cool season pastures have performed better in recent weeks, but warm season pastures seem to be struggling with the recent cool weather conditions.

Jeffrey Smith, Elmore County
A few heavy storms this week affected fieldwork. Corn planting should wrap up soon.

Gavin Mauldin, Geneva County
Preparations continue for cotton, peanut, and soybean planting. Commercial vegetable producers are planting now. Strong storms in two days last week provided needed rainfall, but shortened suitable days for fieldwork.

General Comments

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Alabama, there were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, April 10, 2017. Precipitation estimates for the state ranged from no rain up to 6.5 inches. Average high temperatures ranged from the low 80s to the low 60s. Average low temperatures ranged from the high 50s to the high 30s.