As reported by NASS on September 17, 2012

VERY BUSY WEEK OF FARMING!

Corn and hay harvest were still going strong last week but were accompanied by the start of soybean and cotton harvests. Dark tobacco harvest continued to run behind schedule. Growers reported struggling to get the heavy leaves into the barn. Scarcity of labor has also contributed to the delay. Cotton was opening with defoliation underway. The soybean crop was filling pods nicely. Pastures were in good condition for this time of year but weedy. Insects, particularly armyworms, were present. Continue reading →

As reported by NASS on September 10, 2012

TOPSOIL MOISTURE SUPPLIES GREATLY IMPROVED

Plentiful rain fell across the state last week benefitting crops and boosting soil moisture supplies. The condition of cotton, soybeans, and tobacco crops improved and were rated in mostly good condition. Corn harvest continued at a rapid pace two weeks ahead of normal. Continue reading →

As reported by NASS on September 4, 2012

HURRICANE REMNANTS BOOST SOIL MOISTURE SUPPLIES

The remnants of Hurricane Isaac dropped significant rainfall in many areas last week which boosted soil moisture supplies. The effects of this rainfall are likely to improve soil moisture ratings as well as cotton, soybean and pasture conditions in these areas. At week’s end it was too early to fully measure the impact. Crops remained in mostly fair-to-good condition. Continue reading →

As reported by NASS on August 27, 2012

SOYBEANS AND COTTON COULD USE A RAIN.  The weather is turning seasonally dry as some concerns are being expressed in major cotton and soybean areas about proper development. However, at week’s end, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 57 percent adequate or surplus, a level much better than the 29 percent five year average and last year’s 44 percent. A good general rain throughout the state is needed to maintain or improve the cotton and soybean crops from their current standing of fair-to-good condition. The corn for grain harvest picked-up momentum and was proceeding at a pace just shy of two weeks ahead of normal. Pastures look good, but armyworms are reported to be a problem. Continue reading →