Louisiana Field Reports: Conditions Good for Harvest, Tough on People, Animals

Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending September 8, 2019.

Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents

Andrew Granger, Vermilion Parish
“Dry weather allowed for hay harvest, sugarcane planting, and near completion of rice harvest. Rice farmers prepared land for next year’s crop and sugarcane farmers were getting ready for grinding. Cattle ranchers were weaning calves and getting ready to seed ryegrass.”

Mariah Simoneaux, Assumption Parish
“Dry weather during the past week has allowed sugarcane producers to get back in the field to plant. Some soybeans were being harvested.”

Richard Letlow, Morehouse Parish
“Last week was simply hot and dry. Good for harvest, tough on people and animals.”

Mary Helen Ferguson, Washington Parish
“A stretch of highs in the upper 90s and a lack of rain provided stressful conditions for crops.”

James Meaux, Calcasieu Parish
“Last week was dry. Lots of hay pastures were baled. Lots of fieldwork done. Farmers were able to cut rice without interruption from showers. The area could use a good shower for pastures and hay fields.”

Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish
“Dry conditions allowed good field progress. Cane planting was in full swing as growers work to finish planting before the start of grinding next week. Hay producers were baling hay. Cattle producers were weaning and marketing calves. Fall garden planting was in full swing.”

General Comments

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According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Louisiana, there were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, September 8, 2019. Topsoil moisture supplies were 12 percent very short, 48 percent short, 37 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 7 percent very short, 20 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus.

Low temperatures ranged from 66.3 degrees Fahrenheit at Homer to 80.0 degrees Fahrenheit at Galliano. Highs ranged from 92.4 degrees Fahrenheit at Slidell and Jennings to 101.4 degrees Fahrenheit at Minden. Precipitation was scarce throughout the State, with the highest concentration in the southeast part of the State with an average of 0.48 inch.