Louisiana Field Reports: Crops Growing Quickly

Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending June 24, 2018.

Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents

Todd Fontenot, Evangeline Parish
“Scattered rains have been beneficial to some producers, however many areas did not receive much rain. Rice is heading rapidly with high temperatures and other crops are in need of rain. Many cattle producers are supplementing their cattle.”

Stuart Gauthier, Saint Mary Parish
“Scattered showers and hot temperatures accelerated crop growth and development. Stinkbug levels are reaching threshold in early planted soybeans. Fungicide applications are going out on rice and soybeans. Hay producers have fertilized fields between rains. Spring gardens are winding down with mounting disease pressure.”

Jeremy Herbert, Acadia Parish
“Rain showers this past week helped provide some much needed moisture for soybeans, pastures, and vegetables. Rice continued to head and some reports of early stinkbug numbers are coming in.”

Vincent Deshotel, Saint Landry Parish
“Rain and cloud coverage last week were beneficial for all crop and livestock production areas. However, an area wide rainfall would be very helpful, because conditions remain very dry. Pastures and hay fields responded well to the recent rains. Livestock production areas are faced with challenges in hay production. Much of the first cutting was at a third or less of normal production and some areas have not made that first cut.”

Anna Timmerman, Jefferson Parish
“Warm season vegetables are gearing up and others are almost complete. Tomatoes are close to harvesting, as are cucumbers and squash.”

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General Comments

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, June 24, 2018. Topsoil moisture supplies were 9 percent very short, 32 percent short, 55 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 3 percent very short, 32 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Low temperatures ranged from 70.5 degrees Fahrenheit at Saint Joseph to 77.7 degrees Fahrenheit at Slidell. Highs ranged from 84.6 degrees Fahrenheit at Jeanerette to 93.6 degrees Fahrenheit at Minden. Precipitation was spread throughout the State, with the highest concentration in the southeast part of the State with an average of 1.97 inches.