Louisiana Field Reports: Good Week for Harvest

Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending August 19, 2018.

Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents

Andrew Granger, Vermilion Parish
“Dry conditions allowed for rice harvest and sugarcane planting to make good progress. Some hay was harvested during this past week. Ranchers continue to work calves and remove bulls to end breeding season.”

Vincent Deshotel, Saint Landry Parish
“Later harvested rice yields are improving. Corn yields are better than expected were rain occurred during the growing season. Early planted soybeans yields are reported to be good. Soybeans diseases are beginning to show up resulting in some stand loss on later planted beans. Rains have been isolated and occurring in what seems to be the same areas. Planting sugarcane has been delayed for some growers due to rainfall. Hay supplies are short.”

James “Jimmy” Meaux, Calcasieu Parish
“Rice harvest is slowly continuing with spotty afternoon showers slowing some farmers down. Yields are all around better than last year thus far. Soybeans needed the rain this past week. Some hay pastures are ready for cutting, but need a few dry days.”

Jeremy Hebert, Acadia Parish
“Good week for rice harvest as it stayed mainly dry. Yields seem to be holding steady in the mid 40’s (barrels). Some soybeans are starting to change color and some farmers are prepping for soybean harvest.”

Blair Herbert, Iberia Parish
“Scattered rains again affected sugarcane planting and harvest. Rains are helping sugarcane growth and helping increase planting ratios. Delays continue with rice and soybean harvest. Rice yields are in the 40 – 50 barrel range and soybeans are in the 45 -55 bushel range.”

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General Comments

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, August 19, 2018. Topsoil moisture supplies were 5 percent very short, 42 percent short, 49 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 8 percent very short, 38 percent short, 51 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Low temperatures ranged from 70.0 degrees Fahrenheit at Saint Joseph to 77.9 degrees Fahrenheit at New Orleans. Highs ranged from 90.0 degrees Fahrenheit at Slidell to 95.9 degrees Fahrenheit at Natchitoches. The precipitation for this week was spread throughout the State, with the highest concentration in the northeast part of the State with an average of 2.32 inches.