ga-crop-weather

State
Georgia Crop Weather

Week Ending Date
June 3, 2007
                                                                                
Issue
GA-CW2207
Agricultural Summary
June 4, 2007    

                   BENEFICIAL RAINS FROM TROPICAL STORM BARRY                   

Tropical Storm Barry delivered much-needed rain to much of the state this 
weekend, according to the USDA, NASS, Georgia Field Office.  Average highs 
were in the 80's most of this week.  Lows averaged from the upper 50's to the 
mid-60's.  Average rainfall was 1.62 inches for the week.  Tropical Storm 
Barry and its' remnants provided all but the westernmost areas of the state 
with a good soaking rain on Saturday and Sunday.  Topsoil moisture conditions 
were rated at 62% very short, 20% short, 17% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Farmers received some relief, at least in the short-term, with the rains this 
weekend. However, overall conditions remained dry.  In areas that received 
rain, dryland corn and other crops should see some improvement, and crops 
that were dusted in now have a good chance of coming up.  Growers continued 
dusting in cotton and peanuts this week as they worked to complete their 
planting.  Most crops, including vegetables, were growing slowly and stands 
were poor.  Insects were afflicting emerged cotton.  Irrigation continued 
where possible.

Cattle producers reduced herd numbers and weaned calves earlier than normal 
due to lack of hay and grazing.  Early wheat yields were low as a result of 
freeze losses. Other activities included harvesting canola, plowing tobacco, 
and spraying for insects.  County Extension Agents reported an average of 6.2 
days suitable for fieldwork.

                                                                                
                     Crop Progress for Week Ending 06/03/07                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Crop Stage         : This Week  : Prev Week  : Prev Year  : 5 Year Avg 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            :                      Percent                      
                            :                                                   
Corn Silked                 :     22            5           24           22     
Corn Dough                  :      3           NA            2            2     
Soybeans Planted            :     32           24           67           63     
Soybeans Emerged            :     21           14           52           47     
Sorghum Planted             :     54           48           60           61     
Cotton Planted              :     74           58           93           91     
Cotton Squaring             :      2            0            7            9     
Winter Wheat Harvested      :     55           28           59           47     
Peaches Harvested           :      8            4           13           18     
Peanuts Planted             :     73           52           88           91     
Peanuts Blooming            :      2            1            5            8     
Watermelons Harvested       :      1           NA            0            1     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                
                     Crop Condition for Week Ending 06/03/07                    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Crop          :Very Poor :   Poor   :   Fair   :   Good   :Excellent 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         :                       Percent                        
                         :                                                      
Corn                     :    19         30         26         23         2     
Soybeans                 :     8         23         55         14         0     
Sorghum                  :    23         41         27          9         0     
Cotton                   :    14         30         39         17         0     
Winter Wheat             :    13         21         31         26         9     
Range and Pasture        :    58         32          9          1         0     
Apples                   :    83         11          6          0         0     
Hay                      :    57         32         10          1         0     
Peaches                  :    32          6         39         23         0     
Peanuts                  :     9         24         50         17         0     
Pecans                   :    15         24         34         22         5     
Tobacco                  :     7         25         39         28         1     
Watermelons              :     7         15         45         32         1     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                
                    Topsoil Moisture for Week Ending 06/03/07                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   :  This Week   :Previous Week :  5 Year Avg  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   :                  Percent                   
                                   :                                            
Very Short                         :      62             74             15      
Short                              :      20             22             32      
Adequate                           :      17              4             44      
Surplus                            :       1              0             10      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                
             Topsoil Moisture for Week Ending 06/03/07, by District             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      District      :  Very Short  :    Short     :   Adequate   :   Surplus    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                          Percent                          
                    :                                                           
District 1 (NW)     :      71             29              0             0       
District 2 (NC)     :      68             27              5             0       
District 3 (NE)     :      72             17             11             0       
District 4 (WC)     :      80             18              2             0       
District 5 (C)      :      71              9             13             7       
District 6 (EC)     :      16             33             49             2       
District 7 (SW)     :      80             17              3             0       
District 8 (SC)     :      65             14             21             0       
District 9 (SE)     :      29             26             45             0       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* A list of the counties in each of the nine Georgia Agricultural Statistics 
Districts is available at http://www.nass.usda.gov/ga/ctyests/districts.pdf.

                                                                                
             Pasture Condition for Week Ending 06/03/07, by District            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      District      : Very Poor :   Poor    :   Fair    :   Good    : Excellent 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                          Percent                          
                    :                                                           
District 1 (NW)     :    37          54           9           0           0     
District 2 (NC)     :    45          36          12           7           0     
District 3 (NE)     :    79          16           3           2           0     
District 4 (WC)     :    44          49           7           0           0     
District 5 (C)      :    62          31           7           0           0     
District 6 (EC)     :    50          35          15           0           0     
District 7 (SW)     :    73          18           7           2           0     
District 8 (SC)     :    70          21           8           1           0     
District 9 (SE)     :    53          42           4           1           0     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* A list of the counties in each of the nine Georgia Agricultural Statistics 
Districts is available at http://www.nass.usda.gov/ga/ctyests/districts.pdf.

                                                                               
         Weather Summary for Week Ending 06/03/07, by Station Location         
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :   Temperature   :             Precipitation             :     
    Location   :-----------------:---------------------------------------:Soil 
               : Max : Min : Avg :Weekly : Days :30 Day :60 Day : Season :Temp 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Albany         : 91    62    75    0.64     2     1.17     3.21   14.18    82  
Alma           : 90    58    74    2.88     2     3.07     3.08    9.24    75  
Alpharetta     : 89    57    73    0.00     0     1.08     2.60   12.43    75  
Arlington      : 92    58    75    0.14     1     0.39     1.60   13.45    81  
Attapulgus     : 91    60    74    0.16     1     0.35     0.77    7.51    84  
Blairsville    : 84    50    67    0.17     1     0.76     1.63   11.28    70  
Williamson     : 88    58    73    0.04     1     1.23     2.38   12.80    80  
Bowen          : 89    59    73    2.63     3     2.63     3.34   10.54    80  
Brunswick      : 89    64    74    3.05     2     3.76     4.45   11.29    75  
Byromville     : 91    61    75    1.20     3     1.32     3.99   12.35    79  
Byron          : 90    58    73    1.89     3     1.89     3.32   12.13    76  
Cairo          : 90    62    75    0.30     1     0.54     1.29    8.17    74  
Calhoun        : 90    54    73    0.49     3     0.55     0.94    8.44    80  
Pine Mountain  : 88    54    73    0.22     2     2.18     3.33   16.50    77  
Camilla        : 91    60    76    0.17     1     0.17     1.42   12.10    84  
Clarks Hill    : 92    54    71    2.33     2     3.20     4.06   13.33    77  
Cordele        : 90    61    75    0.81     2     0.81     4.61   11.78    80  
Covington      : 89    56    74    0.35     2     1.68     2.81   12.82    79  
Dahlonega      : 87    53    69    0.11     2     1.47     2.97   15.09    73  
Dallas         : 88    59    73    0.00     0     1.16     2.67   11.71    76  
Dawson         : 90    59    75    0.22     1     0.23     4.03   10.73    77  
Dearing        : 91    60    73    1.98     3     2.41     4.22   13.07    75  
Dempsey        : 88    60    74    0.04     1     0.49     1.46   11.32    82  
Dixie          : 92    62    75    2.74     1     2.76     3.22   10.87    82  
Dublin         : 91    56    73    6.37     2     8.55    11.59   20.84    77  
Duluth         : 89    56    73    0.00     0     1.75     3.45   14.10    72  
Dunwoody       : 88    59    74    0.00     0     0.96     2.47   12.56    76  
Eatonton       : 90    54    73    1.24     2     1.41     2.23   12.31    83  
Elberton       : 91    58    74    1.13     2     2.74     5.76   16.53    76  
Ellijay        : 86    53    69    0.28     1     0.42     1.21   10.71    77  
Rome           : 91    55    74    0.00     0     0.12     0.67    7.09    80  
Fort Valley    : 90    59    74    1.39     3     1.49     2.62    8.62    80  
Gainesville    : 86    59    72    0.55     1     1.60     2.67   10.74    77  
Georgetown     : 89    59    74    0.22     1     0.64     3.61   16.60    83  
Griffin        : 87    59    73    0.07     2     0.67     1.53   11.38    77  
Homerville     : 89    56    73    3.58     3     3.65     3.71   10.93    75  
Jonesboro      : 90    58    74    0.32     1     2.21     3.27   12.55    77  
Jeffersonville : 89    58    72    3.55     3     3.55     6.05   15.48    79  
Lafayette      : 90    53    72    0.00     0     0.60     3.46   11.25    77  
McRae          : 92    54    73    4.36     2     4.74     6.66   15.53    82  
Midville       : 91    58    73    3.65     2     4.10     6.52   14.46    81  
Newton         : 92    59    75    0.51     2     0.51     2.39   13.08    83  
Plains         : 89    59    74    0.23     2     0.23     2.23   11.28    83  
Sasser         : 89    59    74    0.52     2     0.53     5.49   13.92    77  
Savannah       : 88    57    73    4.50     3     5.71     5.79   12.70    78  
Skidaway       : 86    63    73    4.62     3     5.85     6.43   11.70    75  
Sneads         : 91    62    76    0.00     0     0.00     0.00    7.04    78  
Statesboro     : 91    57    73    6.78     2     7.20     8.55   16.37    81  
Tifton         : 89    60    73    3.10     4     3.11     3.56   10.74    76  
Tiger          : 86    49    67    0.19     2     2.10     4.25   19.23    74  
Valdosta       : 91    63    75    4.14     2     4.73     5.21   12.77    72  
Vidalia        : 91    60    74    6.80     2     6.81     7.51   16.15    79  
Roopville      : 90    57    72    0.00     0     0.67     3.25   11.84    79  
Watkinsville   : 89    57    73    0.71     2     2.84     4.13   13.59    78  
Woodbine       : 89    57    73    5.18     3     5.54     6.50   13.77    76  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Weather data are supplied by the Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring 
Network (AEMN) and the office of the State Climatologist, University of 
Georgia.  For detailed Georgia weather data, visit the AEMN homepage at 
www.georgiaweather.net.

DISTRICT COMMENTS
June 3, 2007

DISTRICT 1 - NORTHWEST
We missed the much needed rains these past few days.  Next few days look less 
likely to get any.  It is extremely dry.  Canola is being harvested, but all 
plantings have stopped, waiting for moisture.  Anything planted has not 
germinated either.  We are getting critical.

DISTRICT 2 - NORTH CENTRAL
Any locations West of Cherokee County did not receive any significant 
rainfall this past weekend.  Drought conditions continue for the Northwest 
corner of Georgia.

Drought conditions became severe this week, some scattered rains showers late 
in week but too late to improve conditions for this report.

Like every one else.  It is too dry.

DISTRICT 3 - NORTHEAST
No comments available.

DISTRICT 4 - WEST CENTRAL
Rainfall in Haralson County is negative or spotted in some areas in the 
county.  Vegetable crops are poor in growth and development.  A total outside 
water ban has been imputed in the county.

Extremely dry, poor hay yields, poor pasture conditions, winter grain cut for 
hay after Easter freeze.

Drought continues!  Most rainfall recorded in the county was 2/10th of an 
inch.

No rain in sight.  Dry.

Yet another chance missed, Tropical Storm Barry brought minimal rain to our 
area.  Wheat being harvested, yields are 50% or worse; cattle herds being 
thinned, horses' owners scrambling trying to avoid selling.

DISTRICT 5 - CENTRAL
Finally, some badly needed rain!  Most areas of the county got 2+ inches over 
the weekend. Crop, pasture and hayfield conditions hopefully will improve.  
Wheat harvest underway but yield and test weights are not good due to drought 
and cold damage.  Livestock producers continue to feed hay to livestock if 
they have any.  Some producers selling cows due to lack of feed.

Rains in the county were around 1 to 2 inches.  That helped some, but has not 
been enough to keep pasture conditions from declining.

This is our 50th day without rain and things are starting to look very 
serious in Hancock County.

Drought becoming very severe on livestock and forage producers.  Many 
cattlemen are reducing herd numbers and weaning calves much earlier than 
normal due to lack of grass and available, affordable hay.

Morgan County received about .8 inches of rain on June 2 from Tropical 
Depression Barry.  This will be short term relief for a long term problem.

The soil is too dry for land preparation and planting.  No local farmers are 
planting. Farmers are irrigating corn and watermelon fields where they can.  
Cattle farmers have virtually no grazing for their herds.  Some cattlemen are 
having to irrigate pastures to keep from having to sell off their herds.  
Some cattle producers are even feeding wheat and oat straw.

DISTRICT 6 - EAST CENTRAL
Rainfall ranged from 5 to 8.5 inches as per current conversations.  It fell 
at excellent rates to be baled to maximize the water.  Some dry land corn can 
be salvaged and cotton and peanuts dusted in should come up now.

Most acres will be planted/dusted-in.  Early wheat yields low due to freeze.  
Hotter and dryer, about 2 weeks for crops and livestock before major 
catastrophe.  Even irrigated crops growing slowly.

Got much needed rain from Tropical Storm Barry, 3+ inches.

Got rain this weekend.  Things should start to look up.

DISTRICT 7 - SOUTHWEST
We missed rainfall from tropical storm Barry.  All dry land conditions are 
poor to very poor. Most farmers attempted to plant cotton and peanuts in dry 
soil.  Soils in some fields were too hard for strip till planting.

Got .54" rainfall.

Dry conditions continue to hinder plantings of cotton and peanuts.  Dusting 
in of both crops occurring.  Stands of cotton and peanuts poor.  Insects 
continue to hit cotton as it does emerge.  Pastures and hayfields virtually 
non-existent.

Got .8 of rain on Saturday.  It is raining this Monday A.M.

DISTRICT 8 - SOUTH CENTRAL
Same old, same old!  Hot and dry.  Suppose to get some rain this weekend.  
May have time to germinate what is planted before June 15-20 cutoff period 
for planting cotton and peanuts.  A great deal of cotton and peanuts was 
planted this week in dry soil.  Some have chosen to apply for prevented 
planting.  Irrigation of corn and tobacco and some hay fields.  Hay supplies 
and grazing is in short supply.  Plowing tobacco and spraying for insects.  
At this point, a Crop Disaster in the making!  Note: Was in a field of 
blueberries this week and saw old freeze damage (Stem splitting and cracking) 
to the stems or branches.  Didn't notice until now that the little finger 
size limbs where dying in spots.  Phomopsis disease has entered damaged 
cracks and is causing slow death.  Low areas of field were worst which 
indicated lower temperatures in the field during Easter freeze.

Tropical depression Barry gave much relief as 3 inches of slow rain fell 
county-wide this weekend.

Rains bring huge relief!

No rain.

Farmers planting crops for insurance coverage.  Soils are very dry.  No hay 
and pastures are as bad as I have ever seen for grazing.

DISTRICT 9 - SOUTHEAST
Friday-Saturday rain averaged around 5 inches in most areas.  Should be a big 
help for all crops and relief for many stressed producers.  Lots of cattle 
are being sold because of no pastures and no available feed.  Stockyards have 
hit record highs in the last two weeks of cattle being sold.  Some cotton 
producers chose not to plant due to the lack of moisture in the soil.