new-eng-crop-weather

State
NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER

Week ending date 05/04/03

Issue                                        
NH-CW1803
Volume 23, Number 2
(issued weekly on the Internet, May - October)
May 5, 2003 - 4 pm

Agricultural Summary

PLANTING OFF TO A SLOW START

For the week ending May 4, 2003, there were 5.3 days
available for field work across New England.  Topsoil
moisture was rated 2% very short, 2% short, 71% adequate,
25% surplus.  Subsoil moisture was rated 2% very short, 9%
short, 79% adequate, 10% surplus.  Pasture condition was
rated as 5% very poor, 14% poor, 38% fair, 39% good, 4%
excellent.  Warmer temperatures with some precipitation
helped thaw out the ground, moving most field crop farmers
closer to planting.  Most crops' planting schedules remain
behind normal for this region.  Major farm activities
included: planting early vegetables, sweet corn under
plastic, field corn and potatoes; spreading lime and
manure; prepping seed beds for planting; applying
fertilizer; pruning; plowing; tilling; discing; and fixing
fences.

SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND
-----------------------------------------------
Soil Rating    This Week  Last Week  Last Year
-----------------------------------------------
                        -- Percent --
Topsoil Moisture
   Very Short      2          2          3
   Short           2          6          9
   Adequate       71         72         82
   Surplus        25         20          6
Subsoil Moisture
   Very Short      2          4          9
   Short           9          9         25
   Adequate       79         76         65
   Surplus        10         11          1
-----------------------------------------------

Field Crops Report

Farmers in the southern New England states enjoyed
favorable conditions for field work last week, while
northern areas continued to wait for the ground to thaw
and dry out.  Farmers top-dressed hayfields with
fertilizer. Rhode Island potato planting got off to a good
start, with ten percent complete by week's end.  Potato
farmers remain behind normal schedules with 35 percent
planted as of last week.  Potato and small grain growers
in Maine are slightly behind schedule for planting, as
they await warm, dry weather. Shade tobacco producers made
preparations to put on side and top cloths.

Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report

FRUIT: Peaches and pears were in bud stage last week,
while most other fruit crops were found in dormant to bud
stage.  Orchardists applied fertilizer and protective
fungicide sprays and pruned trees.  Plum trees were
blooming last week.  Growers continued to prune Maine wild
blueberry fields and apply fungicides and pre-emergence
herbicides. Massachusetts cranberry growers have been
pleased with vine conditions this spring; last week
growers continued cleaning ditches and applying
herbicides.

VEGETABLES: Farmers planted such early vegetables as
asparagus, cabbage, carrots, fiddleheads, lettuce, onions,
peas and others last week.  Growers planted sweet corn
under plastic and continued to transplant tomatoes into
high tunnels. Roadside stands sold early spring plants.

Crop Progress Tables

FIELD CROP PROGRESS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND
----------------------------------------------------
   Crop      2003   2002  5-yr Avg    Condition
----------------------------------------------------
               -- % Planted --   
Barley, ME     0      5     10           --    
Oats, ME       0      5     10           --   
Potatoes     
  Maine        0      0      5           --   
  Mass        35     30     50          Good     
  Rhode Isl   10     60     45          Good
Silage Corn    5      5      5        Fair/Good    
Sweet Corn    10     10     15        Good/Fair   
Tobacco
 Shade         0      0      0           --
              -- % Harvested --   
Dry Hay       
  First Cut    0      0      0        Good/Fair        
-----------------------------------------------------

FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND
-----------------------------------------------------
  Crop                Stage           Condition
-----------------------------------------------------
Apples             Dormant/Bud        Fair/Good  
Peaches               Bud             Fair/Good    
Pears                 Bud             Fair/Good    
Blueberries 
   Highbush        Dormant/Bud        Fair/Good     
   Wild, ME        Dormant/Bud          Good     
Cranberries,MA     Dormant/Bud        Good/Fair    
Strawberries       Dormant/Bud        Fair/Good   
-----------------------------------------------------

Weather Summary

For the week ending Sunday, May 4, 2003
----------------------------------------------
       AIR TEMPERATURES   PRECIPITATION
STATE   LO  HI AVG DFN      LO      HI
----   --- --- --- ---    ----    ----
ME      21  84  46  -1    0.00    1.50
NH      16  84  50  +3    0.25    1.86
VT      23  81  50  +2    0.56    2.00
MA      27  82  56  +6    0.01    1.55
RI      34  82  55  +5    0.11    0.19
CT      31  83  57  +5    0.14    1.81
---------------------------------------------- 
Copyright 2003:  AWIS, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

Weather Information Table 

Weather Summary For New England Agricultural Statistics
Service Prepared By AWIS, Inc.
 
For the Period:     Monday     April 28, 2003 
            To:     Sunday        May 4, 2003 
 
                      AIR           CUM SINCE MAR 1   
                  TEMPERATURE    GROWING DEGREE DAYS  
                  -----------     BASE-50F  BASE-60F  
STATION          LO  HI AVG DFN   TOT  DFN  TOT  DFN  
-------          --  --  --  --   --- ----  --- ----  
MAINE
Albion           27  77  48  -2    26   +1    1   +1 
Allagash         21  53  37  -7     1   -2    0   +0 
Augusta_State_A  36  74  51  +2    32  +12    4   +4 
Bangor_Intl_Arp  29  76  49  +3    27  +15    4   +4 
Barnard          27  78  45  -1    18  +10    0   +0 
Bath             28  78  49  +2    18   +8    0   +0 
Bethel           29  80  47  -1    24  +11    2   +2 
Brassua_Dam      25  68  41  -2     6   +6    0   +0 
Brunswick_ME     28  84  52  +4    30  +20    2   +2 
Caribou_Municip  27  58  41  -5     1   -7    0   +0 
Corinna          28  80  47  -2    19   +7    0   +0 
Danforth         24  73  43  -4     4   -3    0   +0 
Dover-Foxcroft   27  73  43  -3    14   +6    0   +0 
Durham           26  76  47  -3    22   +2    1   +1 
East_Hiram       28  79  50  +2    24  +11    2   +2 
Eustis           25  73  43  +0    18  +16    0   +0 
Frenchville      27  52  39  -5     0   -3    0   +0 
Gray             35  79  52  +4    41  +31   12  +12 
Greenville_ME    29  74  45  -2    11   +1    0   +0 
Guilford         22  71  41  -6     2   -6    0   +0 
Hollis           28  81  50  +3    26  +17    1   +1 
Houlton          24  71  43  -3     8   +0    0   +0 
Kennebunkport    29  79  51  +0    36  +10    4   +4 
Livermore_Falls  26  80  47  +2    20  +12    1   +1 
Moosehead        24  75  42  +0     9   +9    0   +0 
New_Sharon       28  78  47  +2    27  +19    5   +5 
Patten           27  69  43  -3     8   +0    0   +0 
Portage          28  59  41  -4     2   -6    0   +0 
Portland_ME      32  78  52  +5    45  +35   10  +10 
Rangeley         25  72  42  -1     7   +5    0   +0 
Sebec_Lake       25  78  43  -3     9   -1    0   +0 
Vanceboro        27  70  44  -2     6   +0    0   +0 
Waterville       29  76  49  -2    23   -2    1   +1 
 
NEW_HAMPSHIRE
Barnstead        30  84  54  +5    44  +17    0   +0 
Benton           28  77  49  +2    36  +11    0   +0 
Berlin_AG        29  78  49  +3    36  +17    5   +5 
Bethlehem        27  76  47  -2    30   +7    0   +0 
Concord          29  82  56  +7    87  +60   15  +15 
Diamond_Pond     26  75  44  +3    16  +12    0   +0 
First_Conn_Lake  26  71  41  -2    11   +7    0   +0 
Greenville       26  76  53  +4    35  +10    0   +0 
Keene_AP         28  81  56  +5    89  +46    9   +8 
Lakeport         34  78  52  +5    33  +14    0   +0 
Marlow           27  77  50  -1    24   -8    0   +0 
Mount_Washingto  16  46  33  +5     0   +0    0   +0 
North_Conway     30  80  50  +2    28   +9    0   +0 
Otter_Brook_Lk   31  80  54  +3    47   +4    0   -1 
Plymouth         27  79  47  +0    17   +5    0   +0 
Rochester        29  83  53  +3    49  +16    4   +4 
Weare            33  79  55  +5    64  +32    4   +4 
 
VERMONT
Ball_Mt_Lake     30  78  52  +4    32   +9    0   +0 
Bethel           25  79  49  +2    43  +24    0   +0 
Burlington_Intl  30  80  52  +2    94  +54   14  +13 
East_Haven       24  77  46  +2    27  +19    0   +0 
Island_Pond      26  73  47  +3    33  +22    0   +0 
Montpelier       27  76  49  +2    55  +32    8   +8 
Morrisville_AG   24  80  48  +0    43  +24    0   +0 
Mount_Mansfield  23  60  43  +5     4   +4    0   +0 
Northfield       26  78  47  +2    38  +22    0   +0 
Pownal           31  76  53  +6    66  +39    6   +6 
Rochester        28  79  50  +3    49  +30    5   +5 
Rutland_AG       28  78  50  -2    58   +4    8   +3 
Sunderland       26  78  51  -1    56   +1   11   +9 
Sutton           27  75  47  +4    33  +25    0   +0 
Townshend_Lake   30  81  53  +4    48  +13    0   +0 
Union_Vill_Dam   28  80  50  -1    33   -3    0   +0 
 
MASSACHUSETTS
Ashburnham       33  79  56  +9    73  +54    5   +5 
Boston/Logan_In  42  81  58  +6   126  +69   26  +26 
Greenfield       34  82  58  +6    95  +41   13  +13 
New_Bedford      34  76  56  +3    77  +17    1   +1 
Otis_AFB         36  73  54  +5    60  +39    0   +0 
Plymouth         30  77  54  +5    78  +55    3   +3 
Walpole          34  81  56  +6    98  +61   13  +13 
West_Medway      33  82  57  +7   101  +64   13  +13 
Chicopee/Westov  34  81  58  +3   133  +40   20  +15 
Worcester        43  76  58  +9   108  +80   16  +16 
Worthington      32  77  54  +6    60  +36    3   +3 
 
RHODE_ISLAND
Providence       39  78  58  +6   114  +68   16  +16 
Woonsocket       34  82  56  +6    80  +47    3   +3 
 
CONNECTICUT
Bakersville      31  80  55  +1    70  -13    6   +1 
Bridgeport/Siko  43  77  58  +6    99  +36    8   +7 
Hartford/Bradle  37  81  60  +6   149  +73   24  +19 
Norfolk          35  77  55  +7    64  +44    3   +3 
Norwich          36  83  57  +4    97  +32    7   +5 
Thomaston_Dam    35  81  57  +6    89  +45    8   +8 
Willimantic      34  79  56  +6   110  +69    9   +9 
 
                   1-WEEK PRECIP     4-WEEK CUM PRECIP
                   -------------     -----------------
                 TOTAL               TOTAL
STATION         INCHES    DFN DAYS  INCHES    DFN DAYS
-------          -----   ----  ---   -----   ----  ---
MAINE
Albion            0.91  +0.10    2    2.12  -1.12    8
Allagash          0.13  -0.54    2    1.13  -1.33    9
Augusta_State_A   0.50  -0.41    2    1.67  -1.87    7
Bangor_Intl_Arp   0.44  -0.35    2    1.65  -1.45    9
Barnard           1.38  +0.54    2    2.45  -0.89    7
Bath              0.14  -0.75    2    1.81  -1.98    7
Bethel            1.08  +0.24    3    2.66  -0.70    8
Brassua_Dam       0.81  +0.06    2    2.80  -0.12    8
Brunswick_ME      0.20  -0.69    2    1.86  -1.93    8
Caribou_Municip   0.71  +0.07    4    1.69  -0.65   11
Corinna           1.08  +0.24    2    2.44  -0.92    7
Danforth          1.24  +0.40    3    2.73  -0.41    8
Dover-Foxcroft    0.90  +0.06    3    1.32  -2.02    9
Durham            0.72  -0.16    3    2.50  -1.21    8
East_Hiram        0.74  -0.17    3    2.86  -0.80    9
Eustis            1.18  +0.45    3    2.12  -0.75    9
Frenchville       0.24  -0.43    4    0.40  -2.06    9
Gray              0.81  -0.10    2    2.49  -1.33    9
Greenville_ME     0.33  -0.51    3    0.80  -2.54    7
Guilford          1.33  +0.49    3    2.11  -1.23    8
Hollis            0.88  -0.06    2    3.65  -0.25   10
Houlton           0.77  +0.07    3    1.93  -0.59   11
Kennebunkport     0.59  -0.33    3    3.56  -0.28   11
Livermore_Falls   0.92  +0.04    3    2.11  -1.50    8
Moosehead         0.77  +0.02    3    2.34  -0.58    9
New_Sharon        1.10  +0.22    3    2.17  -1.44    7
Patten            0.66  -0.04    2    2.14  -0.38    8
Portage           0.85  +0.21    4    2.23  -0.11    9
Portland_ME       0.07  -0.84    2    2.18  -1.64    9
Rangeley          1.50  +0.87    3    2.78  +0.40   10
Sebec_Lake        1.22  +0.38    2    2.18  -1.16    8
Vanceboro         0.83  -0.01    2    1.91  -1.45    7
Waterville        0.99  +0.18    2    2.00  -1.24    8
 
NEW_HAMPSHIRE
Barnstead         0.80  +0.10    2    3.40  +0.63    9
Benton            0.75  +0.05    2    1.66  -0.99    9
Berlin_AG         0.25  -0.53    2    1.52  -1.69    7
Bethlehem         1.10  +0.40    3    2.28  -0.50   11
Concord           0.75  +0.05    2    3.31  +0.54   10
Diamond_Pond      1.86  +1.08    3    3.96  +1.02   13
First_Conn_Lake   1.37  +0.59    3    3.30  +0.36   12
Greenville        1.30  +0.46    1    4.13  +0.77    7
Keene_AP          0.92  +0.11    2    2.12  -0.91    8
Lakeport          1.34  +0.54    2    3.05  -0.06   10
Marlow            1.50  +0.59    2    3.14  -0.45    9
Mount_Washingto   1.08  -0.68    3    4.48  -3.00   14
North_Conway      1.11  +0.18    2    2.74  -1.11    8
Otter_Brook_Lk    1.52  +0.71    3    3.40  +0.37   12
Plymouth          1.30  +0.46    2    2.38  -0.82    9
Rochester         0.25  -0.72    1    2.85  -1.12    6
Weare             1.07  +0.16    2    3.28  -0.31    8
 
VERMONT
Ball_Mt_Lake      1.26  +0.21    2    3.00  -1.10   10
Bethel            0.82  -0.15    3    2.38  -1.22   11
Burlington_Intl   0.77  +0.09    4    2.47  -0.15   12
East_Haven        1.85  +1.13    5    2.52  -0.25   11
Island_Pond       1.35  +0.64    3    2.79  +0.18   10
Montpelier        1.04  +0.41    3    1.64  -0.70    8
Morrisville_AG    0.93  +0.16    4    3.37  +0.31   12
Mount_Mansfield   1.52  +0.26    3    5.37  +0.16   11
Northfield        1.47  +0.71    4    4.83  +2.06   11
Pownal            1.29  +0.24    2    2.37  -1.73    9
Rochester         1.24  +0.27    4    3.09  -0.51   11
Rutland_AG        1.14  +0.44    2    2.48  -0.10    7
Sunderland        1.07  +0.32    2    2.15  -0.61    9
Sutton            1.43  +0.71    5    2.93  +0.16   14
Townshend_Lake    1.08  +0.31    2    2.65  -0.43    9
Union_Vill_Dam    0.99  +0.22    3    2.82  +0.04   12
 
MASSACHUSETTS
Ashburnham        1.03  +0.24    2    3.82  +0.65   10
Boston/Logan_In   0.12  -0.68    2    3.34  +0.02   11
Greenfield        0.97  +0.08    2    3.21  -0.24    8
New_Bedford       0.10  -0.78    1    5.45  +1.68   10
Otis_AFB          0.05  -0.86    2    4.31  +0.67   10
Plymouth          0.07  -0.91    1    5.53  +1.58   11
Walpole           0.48  -0.40    2    4.08  +0.21   13
West_Medway       0.11  -0.77    1    3.88  +0.01    8
Chicopee/Westov   1.55  +0.64    2    3.78  +0.14   10
Worcester         0.24  -0.72    2    2.67  -1.02   11
Worthington       0.65  -0.40    2    2.51  -1.36    9
 
RHODE_ISLAND
Providence        0.19  -0.72    2    4.21  +0.41   10
Woonsocket        0.16  -0.81    1    3.74  -0.17   10
 
CONNECTICUT
Bakersville       1.21  +0.30    2    3.81  +0.17   10
Bridgeport/Siko   0.20  -0.71    4    3.62  +0.07   13
Hartford/Bradle   0.63  -0.28    3    2.85  -0.79   12
Norfolk           0.60  -0.45    2    1.74  -2.46   10
Norwich           0.27  -0.81    2    5.10  +0.84   11
Thomaston_Dam     0.97  -0.08    4    3.12  -0.90   13
Willimantic       0.36  -0.62    3    2.72  -1.20   12

Summary based on NWS data.
DFN = Departure From Normal (Using 1961-90 Normals
Period).
Precipitation (rain or melted snow/ice) in inches.
Precipitation Days = Days with precip of 0.01 inch or
more. Air Temperatures in Degrees Fahrenheit.
 
Copyright 2003:  AWIS, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
 
For detailed ag weather forecasts and data visit the AWIS
home page at www.awis.com or call toll free at
1-888-798-9955.

Other Agricultural Comments and News

CONNECTICUT - Howard Rood (FSA), Fairfield/Litchfield:
Dairy farmers were busy spreading manure, plowing some of
the drier land and getting ready to plant field corn. Ross
Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: Spreading manure, plowing
and discing. More sweet corn planted and some field corn
planted. Working tobacco ground well underway. Still cool
mornings with isolated frost. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham:
A little heat this week opened up a lot of ornamental
blossoms, with fruit trees right behind, honey bee
activity is good, corn fields are slowly transferring from
a carpet of green to a rich, earthy glow as harrows make
way for planting to begin. Nancy Welsh/Karen Lockman
(FSA), New Haven: Soils are cold and wet. Fruit is five to
seven days late. Peas and beans have been planted as well
as some sweet corn. Greenhouses are full of flowers
getting ready for Mother's Day. Richard Meinert (Ext), CT
Cooperative: Corn planting is underway with the early
birds finished already. Field prep and spreading
fertilizer this past week. 

MAINE - Marvin Hedstrom, Northern Aroostook: Potatoes and
small grains: Still no field activities. Most of the
snowbanks are gone but fields remain very wet. However,
warm temperatures and wind Saturday and Sunday were needed
to dry ground out. Growers hauling home seed. Some growers
have begun cutting their seed. Preparing tillage and
planting equipment. Pam Hickey (Ext), Central Aroostook:
The weather continues to be on the cool side. After rain
this week, fields continue to be on the wet side.
Hopefully, in the next week we will get some warmer
temperatures to help farmers get on the fields to start
planting. Steve London (Ext), Southern Aroostook: Fields
have not dried up enough to plant and soil temperatures
still too cold. Albert Dow (NRCS), Piscataquis: Frost
still coming out so farming operations have been held up
due to soil condition. Donna Lamb (Ext), Piscataquis:
Spreading manure is the major activity for the past week.
Some livestock have been turned out onto sacrifice
paddocks until the grass gets a little taller. Janet King
(FSA), Somerset: Growers are still spreading and tilling.
Still too wet and cold for much activity in the field.
Rick Kersbergen (Ext), Waldo: Some sweet corn planted
despite cool soil temperatures. Manure being spread on the
drier fields. Pastures really greened up after brief
period of sun and warm last week. Trudy Soucy (FSA),
Knox/Lincoln: Sweet corn, peas and greens have been
planted under crop cover. Greenhouse grown potted flowers
are for sale at farm stands. Fertilizer application on
blueberry fields underway. Lots of sun on the weekend
helped green up pastures. Some land still too wet to till.
Showers during the week held up burning blueberry fields.
Dr. David Yarborough (Ext), Washington: Fields are being
burned for pruning and pre-emergence herbicides are being
applied. Bud scales on cropping fields. Buds are breaking
and fungicides are being applied for mummyberry control.
Michael Tardy (FSA), Androscoggin: We finally got a week
where you could put away the long johns and still work
outside. Lots of manure spread, some fertilizer put on,
many acres of tillage - all events of the week. Some folks
were able to seed down some early crops and grass. Most
think the ground is still too cold for the corn seed. Some
farmers are running into wet areas that slow down the
process. We're on our way to another year of growing
crops, with or without Mother Nature's help. Hang on.
Parker Rand (FSA), Cumberland/York: Things are drying out
fast. Lots of manure being spread, early ground being
worked, and even some sweet corn and early vegetables in
the ground. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: This area
received one of the most beneficial rainfalls that we have
had in a long time. Time to fix those fences before the
flies come out. Farmers' markets are selling seedlings.
The sunshine was fantastic at Fenway Park yesterday.

MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: Some hay
seeding being done and farmers are spreading lime on the
land. Tilling is being done for corn and there may be
planting soon. Local FAV farmers selling bedding plants.
Nurseries are busy with landscaping plant sales. No report
from orchard owners, apples beginning bud stage. A large
sweet corn producer is auctioning the sweet corn equipment
plus other goods on May 3. Rain fall varied countywide
from 0.25 to 1.25 inches in two heavy rain events this
week, of short duration. Temperatures slightly below
freezing at night, 50's during the day. Paul Russell
(FSA), Southeast Massachusetts: Conditions remain
unreasonably cool, however this past week was dry. A few
growers could get into the drier fields to start planting
vegetables etc. Cranberries are starting to awaken from
their winter sleep. The season is approximately two weeks
behind, however growers have been applying herbicides,
installing sprinkler heads and preparing for frost season.
Shellfish growers are planting seed and starting harvest.
Shellfish are showing signs of growth, though market is
still soft. Kip Graham (FSA), Worcester: Weather about 2-3
weeks behind. The cooler, wet weather delaying planting
for most farmers. Some early crops are planted. The dairy
farmers are still plowing, harrowing and spreading manure,
lime and fertilizer. Greenhouses are preparing for
hopefully huge sales for Mother's Day. Fence fixing around
pastures and fields still a never-ending task. All in all,
a slow start to the 2003 season. Frank Caruso (Ext),
Plymouth: Cranberries: Only one rainy event and one frost
night (Saturday into Sunday). Vines are greening up
nicely. Every grower I have spoken to so far has been very
pleased by the condition of the buds and satisfied by how
the vines wintered. Growers are putting on herbicides,
digging out ditches and finishing renovation projects.
Insects are just getting active and soon some will be
trapped in sweep nets. A significant percentage of the
acreage was ice sanded in January. John Devine (FSA),
Franklin: Moderating temperatures have quickened the pace
of field work this week. Sweet corn and potato farmers
have been going full speed to make up for lost time. Most
dairy farms are trying to get manure spread, fields tilled
and grass seedings planted. Most farms with forage crops
are planning to start planting corn this coming week.
Shade tobacco producers will be putting on side and top
cloths this coming week. Most plants in greenhouses are
getting a little leggy. Paul Fischer (FSA),
Essex/Middlesex: Cool weather combined with some scattered
showers slowed plant growth. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA),
Hampshire/Hampden: Another mostly cool week with some rain
showers. Harvesting fiddleheads and asparagus. 45 percent
of the potato crop is planted. Also, planting sweet corn,
lettuce, cabbage, carrots and parsnips. Fruit trees still
in bud stage except plums are blossoming. Farmers are
plowing, subsoiling and spreading lime and manure. Gary
Guida, Worcester: Another great week for farm work.
Everyone planting and plowing. Fields being fitted for
plastic mulch. Plant sales picking up. Annuals in
greenhouses look great and are in flower. Hanging baskets
are awesome.

NEW HAMPSHIRE - Amy Ouellette (Ext), Belknap: Fields being
prepared for planting. Still waiting for many fields to
dry out. Peas, onions, greenhouse tomatoes, and early
sweet corn (under plastic) planted. Pastures are greening
up, while being soil tested, limed and fertilized. First
spray on apple trees. Tina Savage (Ext), Carroll: Still
early for much activity in Carroll County. Hayfields and
pastures greening up. Some work being done in the field.
Apple trees in parts of the county ready for first scab
spray. Heavy deer feeding damage in some orchards, and
extreme cold this past winter was unkind to peaches.
Moisture levels are just adequate despite the snowy
winter, rain in recent days can only help. Carl Majewski
(Ext), Cheshire: Mostly sunny, warm conditions except for
a few showers on Thursday and some heavy rain and
thunderstorms Friday afternoon. All the hayfields and
pastures are green and growing rapidly. Farms are
continuing to spread manure and finish top-dressing
fertilizer on hayfields. More farms are starting tillage
on corn ground - may plant later this week? Steve Turaj
(Ext), Coos: Farms continue to prep fields for corn
planting, with majority on higher ground now done. Some
fields along the Connecticut river under water from recent
heavy rains, a normal occurrence this time of year. High
tunnels for vegetables getting planted. Greenhouse
operations busy with openings this weekend. Pastures
beginning to green-up. A few animals being grazed. Quite
heavy rains during the week, still cold at night with
occasional frosts. Tom Buob (Ext), Grafton: Rain late in
the week helped alleviate the dryness. The dry weather has
allowed for field work to progress, although it is still
cool. New seedings, manure spreading and tillage to prep
for corn planting were activities that occurred this week.
Steve Schmidt (FSA), Grafton: Light rain at the end of
last week helped a little with top soil moisture, however,
we are still in a deficit situation. Subsoil moisture is
still a very real concern. Corn is being planted, field
conditions are further ahead due to drier than normal
field conditions. According to one farmer, he was able to
spread manure everywhere on the farm in the middle of
April due to dry soil conditions. George Hamilton (Ext),
Hillsborough: Field Crops: Farmers are liming and
fertilizing hayfields; spreading manure, plowing, discing,
fertilizing and getting ready to plant corn; fixing
pasture fences; making new pasture and hayfield seedings.
Vegetables: Early season vegetables (peas, lettuce,
greens) are being planted, along with sweet corn and
potatoes. Transplanting tomatoes into high tunnels.
Liming, fertilizing, plowing, discing and getting ready
plant fields. Starting to lay plastic and drip irrigation
tape. Fruits: Apples and Peaches are at pink stage in
earliest blooming areas. Plum trees are blooming. Planting
fruit trees and fertilizing orchards. Protective fungicide
sprays applied on fruit trees. David Seavey (Ext),
Merrimack: Blueberries, raspberries, tree fruits and
nursery stock were planted. Also planted were onions and
asparagus. Field preparation for field corn and
vegetables. Manure spreading underway. Orchardists still
pruning. Blueberries and raspberries pruned. Dormant oil
sprayed in apple orchards. Lots of winter injury on
highbush blueberries and raspberries. Nursery stock
arriving from the south also showing winter injury
symptoms. Late spring has hampered garden center sales and
landscaping projects. Pastures and hayland were
fertilized. Nada Haddad (Ext), Rockingham: Sunny and a
warmer week. A couple of nights, temperatures were as low
as 31 degrees F. Pasture and hayfields are growing well.
Preparing fields for planting. Liming and fertilizing
crops. Planting very early vegetables, small fruits and
tree fruits. Pruning blueberries and apples. Applying
protective fungicides. Pam Marvin (FSA), Sullivan: Heavy
rains came on Friday followed by sunshine, helping to
green up the pasture and hay fields. Many cornfields have
been plowed and fertilized, getting ready to be seeded.
Very few acres have already been planted. Pruning of apple
trees just about done. Crop fields being prepared for
early vegetables. 

RHODE ISLAND - Karen Menezes (Ext), Newport: Rain midweek
stalled some field work putting farmers even more behind.
Active planting of potatoes. Cole crops being planted and
fields being worked for additional summer crops. Roadside
stands fully open and stocked with early spring plants,
hanging baskets and vegetables. 

VERMONT - John St. Onge (FSA), Lamoille: Main farm
activities last week included manure spreading and tilling
of corn fields in preparation for planting. Crop
conditions are looking good so far. Dave Blodgett (NRCS),
Orleans: Landowners are repairing pasture fence, spreading
manure and plowing corn fields. Planting has not yet
begun. Livestock have not gone to pasture yet but will
soon. Perley Sparrow (FSA), Windham: Week two in Windham
County and the weather has not gotten any warmer. Last
Friday we received about 3 inches of rain over the
southern half of the county. Field corn ground is about
ready, farmers are waiting for hotter days. Some sweet
corn is planted and spiking through, early potatoes and
other early vegetable are also planted. Apple orchardists
are spraying the early application in anticipation of a
good year. Jeff Carter (Ext), Addison: Started spring
tillage for seed bed preparation. Manure spreading on some
fields. Some fertilizer spread on hay fields. Liming of
fields. No planting yet. Wet soils. Gary Braman (FSA)
Orange/Windsor: A beautiful week to work the soil and
prepare for planting. Farmers have been working full speed
spreading manure, in some areas about 75% complete.
Fencing is also a very busy project. Vegetable growers are
enjoying the sunshine with rain the end of the week for
good germination. Apple growers are reporting over one
half in early bud stage. Dennis Kauppila (Ext), Caledonia:
We welcomed the inch of rain on Friday. Farmers working on
spreading manure, forage seedings, corn ground
preparation, fencing. Grass starting to grow now. It was a
long, cold winter, milk prices are low, not many dairy
farmers are optimistic now. Chris Benedict (Ext),
Chittenden: We had a solid warm-up last week. With a
couple days up near 70 degrees, bud development has
improved dramatically. Additionally, good amounts of
moisture have proved helpful in getting the season
underway. However, the rain last week was met with cooler
temperatures and therefore disease issues were of concern.
Nice week to work outdoors.

Reporters are from: Extension Service (Ext), Farm Service
Agency(FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Services
(NRCS), or other knowledgeable individuals.

April 2003 Crop Weather Summary: Below average
temperatures prevailed throughout most of April in New
England, pushing the spring planting season behind normal
schedules at many locations. Maple sugaring activities
were mostly complete by mid-month; the maple industry
anticipates reduced production due to extreme temperature
changes during the spring. Higher than normal levels of
precipitation were received throughout the region at
month's end, putting a damper on fieldwork. Farm
activities during the month included manure spreading,
applying fertilizer, tending livestock, assisting with
spring calving, prepping seed beds for planting; and
performing general maintenance in preparation for spring
planting.

Contact Information

To receive this report every Monday evening, send an
e-mail message to listserv@newsbox.usda.gov and in the
body, type subscribe usda-new-eng-crop-weather

Statisticians: Emily McAllister, Robin Helrich
Stat Assistant: Wayne Colpitt
Deputy: Joe Sampson

New England Agricultural Statistics Service 
National Agricultural Statistics Service
United States Department of Agriculture
Aubrey R. Davis, Director
22 Bridge St, 3rd Floor
PO Box 1444
Concord, NH 03302-1444
Phone: (603) 224-9639
Fax: (603) 225-1434
Internet: http://www.usda.gov/nass/
E-Mail: nass.nh@nass.usda.gov

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