Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending April 16, 2017.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents
Todd Fontenot, Evangeline Parish
“Majority of rice has been planted, except for areas that have had heavier rainfall and fields that are still in crawfish production. Soybean planting has begun. Hay producers have begun with first cuttings.”
Henry Harrison, Washington Parish
“Good fieldwork took place with conditions most favorable for continued planting of most vegetables. Other agronomic crops like soybeans are being planted.”
Andrew Granger, Vermilion Parish
“Rainfall during the week provided some moisture to pasture and sugarcane, but more is needed for pasture. Some ryegrass hay was harvested and cured before the rain and some was baled. Ranchers are working cows and calves, while breeding season is approaching. Rice is making excellent progress and planting is all but finished. Permanent flood, weed control and fertilization are being carried out.”
Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish
“Scattered showers toward the end of week interrupted field progress in some parts of the parish. Sugarcane growers are busy planting soybeans on fallow ground, fertilizing, spraying for brown rust and making layby applications of herbicide. Cattle and hay producers are making ryegrass hay and baleage. Some crawfish ponds are being drained.”
Jeremy Hebert, Acadia Parish
“Rice is all planted, except for some crawfish ponds. I expect some crawfish ponds to be drained this week as crawfish prices remain low and will drop. Rice stand looks very good. A lot of rice up and many fields establishing a permanent flood. Some soybeans planted on the west side of the parish and are looking very good. Pastures are still looking nice with some problems arising in some pastures.”
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Rene’ Schmit, Saint John Parish
“Mild temperatures continue to benefit growing conditions but we are seeing signs of beginning stress conditions due to dryer conditions.”
General Comments
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, April 16, 2017. Topsoil moisture supplies were 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 18 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 22 percent surplus.
Low temperatures ranged from 57.4 degrees Fahrenheit at Homer to 63.6 degrees Fahrenheit at Galliano. Highs ranged from 75.7 degrees Fahrenheit at Hodges Garden to 82.7 degrees Fahrenheit at Tallulah. The precipitation for this week was minimal throughout the state, with the highest concentration in the north central part of the state with an average of 1.99 inches.
