State
NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER

Week ending date 5/08/05

Issue                                        
NH-CW3704
Volume 25, Number 2
(issued weekly on the Internet, May - October)
May 9, 2005 - 4 pm

-- Agricultural Summary

Sunshine and Warmth Needed
For the week ending May 8, 2005, there were 4.4 days
suitable for field work across New England.  Topsoil
moisture was rated 51% adequate, 49% surplus. Subsoil
moisture was rated 2% short, 54% adequate, and 44% surplus.
Pasture condition was rated as 6% very poor, 12% poor, 38%
fair, 37% good, and 7% excellent. Although New England saw
sunshine for much of the week, temperatures remained below
normal for this time of year.  Rain throughout the weekend
was not welcome, as some areas are still recovering from
recent floods.  Sunshine and drier weather are needed
throughout the region, as field activities were limited and
planting was delayed in many areas.  Northern pastures are
green, but too soft to put animals on.  Greenhouses across
New England are nearing capacity waiting for better weather
to move plants outside.  Major farm activities included:
planting sweet corn, early vegetables and potatoes,
spreading manure, fertilizer and lime, plowing and harrowing
fields, pruning trees, fertilizing orchards, applying
herbicides and fungicides, working in the greenhouses, and
fencing.  

 SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND
---------------------------------------------
                        -- Percent --
Soil Rating    This Week  Last Week  Last Year
---------------------------------------------
Topsoil Moisture
   Very Short      0          0          3
   Short           0          0          5
   Adequate       51         38         74
   Surplus        49         62         18
Subsoil Moisture
   Very Short      0          0          3
   Short           2          2          4
   Adequate       54         54         81
   Surplus        44         44         12
---------------------------------------------

-- Field Crops Report
Cool weather has limited spring work on field crops,
especially in northernmost states.  Massachusetts and Rhode
Island potato planting was well ahead of last year, while
wet soils have prevented any planting of potatoes, barley,
or oats in Maine.  Some field corn was planted on well
drained fields.  Pastures and hayfields are green and appear
to be doing well in most areas.  Winterkill on alfalfa was
reported in the Upper Connecticut River Valley, but what did
survive the winter appears strong.  Farmers spent the week
spreading manure, fertilizing hay fields, plowing, discing,
planting and harrowing fields.   

-- Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report

FRUIT: Cold mornings caused farmers to irrigate strawberries
for frost protection.  Wild blueberry fields were sprayed
with fungicide, and burned for pruning where the ground was
not too wet.  Cranberry growers in Massachusetts spent the
week applying pre-emergent herbicides and cleaning ditches. 
Tree fruit development in Connecticut was well ahead of the
rest of the region.  Apple and pear trees were in early to
full bloom in Connecticut; elsewhere, apples and pears were
in bud stage to early bloom.  Connecticut Peach trees were
in full bloom to petal fall, while in other states, peaches
ranged from dormant to full bloom.  Orchard growers spent
the week pruning, fertilizing and watching for frost damage. 
Bees were brought into Southern New England apple orchards
by week's end.

VEGETABLES: Growers prepared fields by harrowing, liming,
fertilizing, discing, and plowing.  Planting of early season
vegetables continued throughout the week, including peas,
carrots, cabbage, parsnips, beets, radishes, spinach,
onions, lettuce, greens, potatoes, and cole crops.  Sweet
corn was planted with and without plastic cover.  Vegetable
crop emergence is slow due to cold soil temperatures. A mid-
week frost hurt asparagus at harvest, causing losses in some
areas.
                                        
-- Crop Progress Tables

FIELD CROP PROGRESS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND
----------------------------------------------------
   Crop      2005  2004  5-yr Avg    Condition
----------------------------------------------------
Barley, ME     0     15     10           --  
Oats, ME       0     15     10           -- 
Potatoes     
  Maine        0     <5     <5            
  Mass        35     45     45          Good     
  Rhode Isl   75     20     20          Good 
Silage Corn   <5      5     10          Good/Poor     
Sweet Corn    10     10     15          Good/Fair  
Tobacco
 Shade         0     0      0            --
 Broadleaf     0     0      0           --
Dry Hay       
  First Cut    0     0      0            --        

----------------------------------------------------
FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND
-----------------------------------------------------
                     
  Crop           Stage      Fruit Set     Condition
-----------------------------------------------------
Apples           D/EB          Avg        Good/Fair  
Peaches          D/PF          Avg        Fair/Good    
Pears           Bud/FB         Avg          Good    
Blueberries 
   Highbush      D/Bud         Avg          Good     
   Wild, ME          Bud          --         Good/Excel 
Cranberries,MA   D/Bud         Avg          Good    
Strawberries     D/Bud     Avg             Good
-----------------------------------------------------
   D - Dormant, EB - Early Bud,  PF- Petal Fall
-- Weather Summary

For the week ending Sunday, May 8, 2005
----------------------------------------------
       AIR TEMPERATURES   PRECIPITATION
STATE   LO  HI AVG DFN      LO      HI
----   --- --- --- ---    ----    ----
ME      25  67  45  -4    0.05    2.27
NH      17  67  43  -7    0.09    1.11
VT      24  69  43  -7    0.01    0.40
MA      26  65  47  -6    0.11    2.18
RI      32  63  48  -5    0.46    1.61
CT      27  66  47  -8    0.27    0.80
---------------------------------------------- 
Copyright 2004:  AWIS, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

-- Weather Information Table 

For the Period:     Monday May 2, 2005 
            To:     Sunday May 8, 2005 
 
                      AIR           CUM SINCE MAR 1   
                  TEMPERATURE    GROWING DEGREE DAYS  
                  -----------     BASE-50F  BASE-60F  
STATION          LO  HI AVG DFN   TOT  DFN  TOT  DFN  
-------          --  --  --  --   --- ----  --- ----  
MAINE
Albion           30  62  45  -7    17  -22    0   +0   
Allagash         25  67  43  -3     0   -7    0   +0   
Augusta_State_A  35  61  47  -4    33   +1    1   +1   
Bangor_Intl_Arp  33  61  48  -2    40  +20    0   +0   
Barnard          30  63  45  -3    11   -3    0   +0   
Bath             29  60  44  -6    13   -5    0   +0   
Bethel           29  62  43  -7    10  -13    0   +0   
Brassua_Dam      26  62  42  -3     0   -4    0   +0   
Brunswick_ME     31  65  46  -5    22   +4    0   +0   
Caribou_Municip  30  64  46  -1    17   +3    0   +0   
Corinna          32  62  45  -5    21   +0    0   +0   
Danforth         30  63  45  -3     6   -6    0   +0   
Dover-Foxcroft   27  61  45  -3     6   -8    0   +0   
Durham           30  63  45  -7    11  -21    0   +0   
East_Hiram       28  62  43  -7    12  -11    0   +0   
Eustis           26  60  41  -5     0   -6    0   +0   
Frenchville      33  63  46  +2     8   +1    0   +0   
Gray             35  61  47  -3    35  +17    4   +4   
Greenville_ME    31  59  44  -5    10   -8    0   +0   
Guilford         26  62  43  -6     5   -9    0   +0   
Hollis           27  63  44  -6    14   -3    0   +0   
Houlton          27  65  45  -3    28  +14    0   +0   
Kennebunkport    29  60  45  -9    17  -24    1   +1   
Livermore_Falls  28  63  45  -3    11   -3    0   +0   
Moosehead        25  62  42  -3     1   -3    0   +0   
New_Sharon       30  61  45  -3    15   +1    0   +0   
Patten           29  64  45  -3     1  -13    0   +0   
Portage          29  64  45  -2     4  -10    0   +0   
Portland_ME      32  60  46  -4    32  +14    4   +4   
Rangeley         27  59  40  -5     0   -6    0   +0   
Sebec_Lake       28  65  45  -3     6  -12    0   +0   
Vanceboro        30  63  46  -2     8   -2    0   +0   
Waterville       32  61  45  -7    16  -23    0   +0   
 
NEW_HAMPSHIRE
Barnstead        26  64  43  -9    25  -16    0   +0   
Benton           27  60  42  -8    11  -26    0   +0   
Berlin_AG        30  61  44  -5     7  -22    0   +0   
Bethlehem        26  63  43  -8     7  -28    0   +0   
Concord          28  63  46  -6    51  +10    6   +6   
Diamond_Pond     26  57  41  -3     0   -8    0   +0   
First_Conn_Lake  26  58  41  -4     3   -5    0   +0   
Greenville       30  62  47  -4    62  +24    6   +6   
Keene_AP         27  63  45  -9    51  -13    1   -4   
Lakeport         32  64  46  -4    32   +1    0   +0   
Marlow           26  67  44 -10    14  -35    0   -2   
Mount_Washingto  17  41  25  -6     0   +0    0   +0   
North_Conway     28  63  45  -6    12  -19    0   +0   
Otter_Brook_Lk   28  63  44 -10    24  -40    1   -4   
Plymouth         25  62  43  -7     9  -11    0   +0   
Rochester        30  63  46  -7    43   -7    6   +6   
Weare            32  62  46  -7    27  -22    1   -1   
 
VERMONT
Ball_Mt_Lake     26  62  44  -7    10  -25    0   +0   
Bethel           25  65  43  -6    13  -17    0   +0   
Burlington_Intl  30  65  47  -6    64   +6    9   +4   
East_Haven       24  66  43  -4    13   -2    0   +0   
Island_Pond      27  62  43  -4     5  -14    0   +0   
Montpelier       26  63  44  -7    39   +4    8   +8   
Morrisville_AG   24  64  41  -8     3  -27    0   +0   
Mount_Mansfield  24  51  34  -8     0   -2    0   +0   
Northfield       25  64  43  -6    12  -12    0   +0   
Pownal           29  59  44  -7    31   -8    0   +0   
Rochester        27  64  43  -6    14  -16    0   +0   
Rutland_AG       28  63  44 -10    19  -57    0   -9   
Sunderland       26  61  44  -9    24  -51    0   -6   
Sutton           27  62  42  -5     6   -9    0   +0   
Townshend_Lake   28  60  44  -8    23  -28    1   -1   
Union_Vill_Dam   26  63  44  -9    17  -36    0   -2   
 
MASSACHUSETTS
Ashburnham       30  62  46  -5    42  +12    2   +2   
Boston/Logan_In  42  63  50  -6    88   +9    9   +9   
Greenfield       30  64  47  -9    49  -28    6   +3   
New_Bedford      32  60  47  -9    62  -20    3   +3   
Otis_AFB         37  64  50  -2   100  +68    9   +9   
Plymouth         31  60  46  -6    56  +20    3   +3   
Walpole          31  64  48  -5    79  +25    4   +4   
West_Medway      32  61  47  -6    52   -2    3   +3   
Chicopee/Westov  30  63  47 -10   101  -22   11   +2   
Worcester        37  60  46  -6    79  +36    8   +8   
Worthington      26  62  44  -6    27   -9    1   +1   
 
RHODE_ISLAND
Providence       36  62  49  -6    87  +22    6   +6   
Woonsocket       32  63  47  -6    80  +30    6   +6   
 
CONNECTICUT
Bakersville      27  63  44 -12    45  -66    5   -4   
Bridgeport/Siko  38  63  50  -5   110  +24    8   +3   
Hartford/Bradle  30  64  48  -8   117  +14   14   +5   
Norfolk          28  59  44  -7    48  +16    4   +4   
Norwich          33  64  48  -8    61  -28    6   +0   
Thomaston_Dam    32  62  47  -7    61   -2    5   +4   
Willimantic      30  62  46  -8    83  +23    7   +7   
  
                  1-WEEK PRECIP     4-WEEK CUM PRECIP
                  -------------     -----------------
                 TOTAL               TOTAL
STATION          INCHES  DFN  DAYS  INCHES   DFN  DAYS
-------          -----   ----  ---   -----   ----  ---
MAINE
Albion           1.53  +0.71    4   14.82  +7.20   26
Allagash         0.05  -0.65    1    8.69  +3.09   26
Augusta_State_A  1.12  +0.21    4   13.00  +4.92   24
Bangor_Intl_Arp  0.79  -0.01    2    8.94  +1.48   19
Barnard          0.92  +0.08    4   14.22  +6.67   30
Bath             1.48  +0.63    4   16.00  +6.92   23
Bethel           0.56  -0.28    4   15.31  +7.45   22
Brassua_Dam      0.31  -0.44    5    9.76  +3.13   28
Brunswick_ME     2.27  +1.42    4   18.16  +9.08   21
Caribou_Municip  0.18  -0.50    4    8.88  +3.16   32
Corinna          1.46  +0.62    3   13.20  +5.53   22
Danforth         0.93  +0.09    3   12.05  +5.06   28
Dover-Foxcroft   0.96  +0.12    2    9.93  +2.38   20
Durham           1.27  +0.43    3   17.33  +8.14   23
East_Hiram       0.96  +0.05    4   16.07  +7.36   24
Eustis           0.30  -0.40    3    9.04  +2.26   25
Frenchville      0.13  -0.57    4    6.25  +0.65   30
Gray             1.40  +0.53    4   17.29  +8.42   22
Greenville_ME    0.33  -0.51    5   12.13  +4.58   31
Guilford         1.04  +0.20    3   14.41  +6.86   25
Hollis           1.30  +0.39    4   17.36  +8.32   26
Houlton          1.32  +0.61    4    9.61  +3.87   30
Kennebunkport    1.41  +0.50    3   15.82  +6.92   23
Livermore_Falls  0.82  -0.02    4   13.74  +5.35   24
Moosehead        0.52  -0.23    4   10.11  +3.48   29
New_Sharon       1.10  +0.26    3   15.15  +6.76   22
Patten           0.82  +0.11    2   13.31  +7.57   27
Portage          0.22  -0.46    4   11.22  +5.50   30
Portland_ME      1.17  +0.30    4   14.20  +5.33   25
Rangeley         0.57  -0.09    3   10.15  +4.48   30
Sebec_Lake       1.18  +0.34    3   15.08  +7.53   28
Vanceboro        0.99  +0.15    3   11.92  +3.91   28
Waterville       1.22  +0.40    3   14.87  +7.25   19
 
NEW_HAMPSHIRE
Barnstead        0.74  +0.04    4   11.65  +5.13   29
Benton           0.53  -0.17    3    7.67  +1.69   27
Berlin_AG        0.37  -0.40    3    9.79  +2.62   22
Bethlehem        0.47  -0.23    4    6.32  +0.06   27
Concord          0.55  -0.15    4    9.67  +3.15   27
Diamond_Pond     0.33  -0.49    4   11.97  +5.14   38
First_Conn_Lake  0.47  -0.35    4    8.54  +1.71   32
Greenville       0.92  +0.08    3   11.11  +3.01   22
Keene_AP         0.23  -0.61    3   11.01  +3.89   25
Lakeport         0.36  -0.41    3   10.05  +2.75   25
Marlow           0.46  -0.45    3   10.26  +1.63   26
Mount_Washingto  1.11  -0.59    5   18.73  -0.67   35
North_Conway     0.38  -0.53    3   11.74  +2.78   26
Otter_Brook_Lk   0.41  -0.43    3    9.42  +2.30   25
Plymouth         0.09  -0.78    2    8.62  +0.95   20
Rochester        0.85  -0.08    4   14.06  +4.77   24
Weare            1.04  +0.13    2   13.36  +4.73   25
 
VERMONT
Ball_Mt_Lake     0.28  -0.75    3    9.62  +0.14   24
Bethel           0.12  -0.86    3    8.96  +0.86   25
Burlington_Intl  0.16  -0.53    3    5.28  -0.55   25
East_Haven       0.40  -0.36    4    7.29  +0.71   34
Island_Pond      0.27  -0.48    4    6.97  +1.01   31
Montpelier       0.13  -0.54    4    7.25  +1.67   30
Morrisville_AG   0.09  -0.68    2    7.98  +0.91   29
Mount_Mansfield  0.31  -0.92    2   12.99  +0.79   37
Northfield       0.08  -0.69    1    8.40  +2.08   23
Pownal           0.18  -0.85    2    9.43  -0.05   27
Rochester        0.14  -0.84    1    9.74  +1.64   23
Rutland_AG       0.03  -0.71    1    6.11  +0.25   25
Sunderland       0.32  -0.45    3    9.62  +3.23   31
Sutton           0.27  -0.49    2    8.30  +1.72   34
Townshend_Lake   0.29  -0.52    3    9.19  +1.77   27
Union_Vill_Dam   0.32  -0.45    3    8.34  +1.84   27
 
MASSACHUSETTS
Ashburnham       0.77  +0.00    4   12.24  +4.67   30
Boston/Logan_In  0.73  -0.04    4    7.47  -0.83   26
Greenfield       0.28  -0.57    3   10.36  +2.41   25
New_Bedford      1.28  +0.44    3   11.77  +2.39   29
Otis_AFB         1.18  +0.31    3   12.41  +3.87   28
Plymouth         1.86  +0.91    3   12.70  +3.27   26
Walpole          1.14  +0.32    4   11.10  +2.12   25
West_Medway      0.98  +0.16    4   11.25  +2.27   28
Chicopee/Westov  0.36  -0.55    3    9.07  +0.54   28
Worcester        0.92  -0.06    4   11.07  +1.96   27
Worthington      0.24  -0.81    3   11.91  +3.38   31
 
RHODE_ISLAND
Providence       0.84  -0.06    4   10.60  +1.28   27
Woonsocket       1.61  +0.65    4   14.26  +5.10   28
 
CONNECTICUT
Bakersville      0.50  -0.41    3   11.30  +2.66   29
Bridgeport/Siko  0.46  -0.45    4    8.01  -0.64   28
Hartford/Bradle  0.38  -0.53    4    9.07  +0.43   28
Norfolk          0.27  -0.78    2   10.17  +0.22   28
Norwich          0.80  -0.25    4   11.66  +1.31   27
Thomaston_Dam    0.59  -0.46    4    9.98  +0.52   28
Willimantic      0.65  -0.33    4    9.81  +0.60   30 

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 2004:  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: The
past week was very cold and wet. Grass has been fertilized,
but is not growing well. We need some warm, sunny days. Ross
Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: A very cool week, Monday thru
Thursday frosts and record cold on Thursday (30F at Windsor
Locks). Soil temps still cold. Sweet corn out of ground but
some burned as of Thursday am. Cattle going out on pasture.
Manure spreading and tillage continuing for field corn.
Frank Himmelstein  (FSA), New London: Growers made some
progress spreading manure and discing fields earlier in the
week. More rain during the weekend and extremely cooler than
normal temperatures for this time of year will delay
planting in many fields. It felt more like March than May
this weekend. Where corn has already been planted emergence
will be extremely slow until soils warm up. Replanting in
the wetter areas will probably be required. Marsha Jette
(FSA), New London: Producers are anxiously anticipating
spring weather. The cold weather mixed with numerous showers
have put operations about 2 weeks behind schedule. Jude
Boucher (Ext), Tolland: Rain on the weekend and frost on
Monday and Thursday morning. Lorraine Los (Univ of Ct)
Windham: Cool weather slowed down development of fruit
crops. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: Irrigating strawberries
due to several mornings of frost, harrowing and planting
drier fields, bypassing heavier soils for now. Pruning done
in orchards, bedding plants ready to sell, still on the cool
side, lots of work to do. Karen Vozarik (FSA), New Haven:
Cool weather has slowed the progress of the bees and the
fruit trees. Different parts of the county are in various
stages of bloom. Fields are tilled and plastic is down ready
to plant. Joyce Meader (Ext), Windham: Cold, wet soil does
not encourage planting of corn. No-till forage seeding
delayed by mud (plugs the seed tubes). Grass and clover
looks good, waiting for warm weather. 

MAINE - Marvin Hedstrom, Northern Aroostook: Potatoes and
small grains: Cold wet weather continues, therefore there
has been no field activity as of  yet. Most growers have
everything ready to go when field conditions are ready. Dee
Potter (Ext),Aroostook: No field work has begun in the
northern part of the county as it continues to be cold and
wet .Pam Hickey (Ext), Central Aroostook: Farmers have been
getting equipment ready for planting seed, and ordering seed
for planting. Recent rain has delayed any field work. Steve
London, Southern Aroostook: Potatoes and small grains:
Nothing done yet. Gleason Gray (Ext) Penobscot: More rain
has further delayed most if not all field work.Albert Dow
(NRCS), Piscataquis: Some tilling and planting took place
this week withsome manure spread.  Heavy cold rain Saturday
P.M. and Sunday A.M. Vegetable farmers have planted peas,
beets, beans and greens. Donna Lamb (Ext), Piscataquis: Some
of the fields on well drained soils were dry enough for
field work this week. Most are still drying out from
repeated rains. Kathy Hopkins (Ext), Somerset: Some manure
spreading but most fields too wet to work with standing
water in many places. Janet King (FSA), Somerset: Very cold
spring, we need sun. Spreading  fertilizer and lime. Trudy
Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: Not much outdoor work
accomplished. Crops already planted need sun. Fields are too
soft to work from another week of rain. Some blueberry
fields remain to be burned, but are too wet. Sulfur,
fertilizer applications need to be done also when the ground
dries out. Marcia Hall (FSA), Oxford: Oxford County still in
need of sunny days with warmer temperatures. The weekend was
another wash out and not able to get out on the crop fields.
Last week was cloudy with cool temperatures. Fields are to
wet to get on with equipment to spray and spread manure at
this time. Donald Burke (FSA), Waldo: Another week of rain
and showers, prevented most field work from being
accomplished. Pastures are green but too soft to put the
animals on. Another one to two inches of rain fell over the
weekend. Dr. David Yarborough (Ext), Washington: Wild
blueberries: Fields being burned for pruning and pre
emergence herbicides and fertilizers being applied.
Fungicides being sprayed in down-east fields and second
spray applied to mid-coast fields to protect against mummy
berry disease infection. Sandy Truslow (FSA),
Cumberland/York: Cool, wet weather continues to delay spring
planting. Some early corn is planted under cover. Orchardist
are spraying dormant oil and finding many wet spots to get
stuck in. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: Wet, wet, wet... the
only good result is that the grass is now turning very green
and groundwater supplies are good. Farmers are getting
pastures ready. The timing is good because the weather has
been too cool for black flies! Field work is falling behind
because of soggy ground conditions. Laura Rand (FSA),
Oxford: Wet weather continues. Most fields too wet to
attempt farming and the cold, damp weather will not
relinquish its hold. Greenhouses are beginning to display
colorful arrays and seedlings for planting. Pastures are
green but wet. Guy Piper (FSA), Kennebec: Areas on fields
are very limited to spread commercial fertilizer, farm
produced manure as there is still standing water in some
fields. It was noted one farm in Clinton received 7.2 inches
of rain in 13 days up to May 3, 2005. 

MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: Planting
sweet corn with or without plastic cover. Still plowing and
harrowing for future corn planting. Orchard growers are
watching for frost damage. We had four mornings with frost
this week. Frank Caruso (Ext), Plymouth: Cranberries:
November weather the past two days had virtually stopped
plant development, and slowed the insect pests down as well
(not a bad thing!). Plants are slowly greening up and
beginning new growth in the warmest areas of the bed. There
were two frost nights mid-week, one where growers had to run
the sprinklers most of the night. Growers are applying
pre-emergent herbicides and cleaning ditches. Sweeping for
insects not necessary for most of the week - too cool or wet
from frost protection or rainfall. One of our concerns this
spring is whether the high populations of winter moth larvae
will infiltrate the beds and feed on cranberry foliage. Time
will tell. Jason Otto (FSA), Bristol: Good week for field
work. Wet, windy, rainy, and cold weekend dampened weekend
flower sales. Some early sweet corn is about to emerge. 
John Devine (FSA), Franklin: Cool and wet weather conditions
have delayed field activities in Franklin County this week.
A heavy freeze on Thursday effected all early season crops
including asparagus and strawberries. Temperatures were so
cold (28 degrees) that frost protection may not have been
effective. At this time, fruit trees do not appear to be
damaged from these conditions. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA),
Hampshire/Hampden: Field conditions are wet due to recent
rains and producers report the season temperatures are 10
percent below normal. Growers are planting, spreading
manure, subsoiling and spreading lime. Their have been
report of winter kill in peaches and asparagus. Growers are
reporting low yields because of the very cool temperatures.
Vegetable growers are planting potatoes, peas, sweet corn,
carrots, lettuce, cabbage and parsnips. Setting irrigation
in strawberry fields for frost protection. Gary Guida,
Worcester: And YET another great weekend for selling plants.
Cold, wet, and dreary. Seems like everyone is into the
Mother's Day act now. Greenhouses really backing up as
weather is inhibiting moving of annuals outside. Cannot plow
or plant as ground too wet or too cold for corn planting
perhaps later in the week. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE - Amy Ouellette (Ext), Belknap: Better weather
this week, although ground still wet. We could use a week or
two without rain. Several frosts. Strawberries and potatoes
planted. Greenhouse growth slow. Tina Savage (Ext), Carroll:
Another cold wet spring shaping up. Plant sales are down,
cool wet weekends are becoming a habit. Pastures are very
green, grass is growing well . Fruit sprays going on as
weather permits, field work being done as weather permits.
Carl Majewski (Ext), Cheshire: Mostly dry, but cool this
week. Field prep continues for field corn, but cool
temperatures have delayed planting. Grass in hayfields and
pastures seems to be doing pretty well; most producers have
let animals out to graze. Vegetable growers continuing some
seeding and transplanting. Orchards are finishing cleanup
and continuing with spraying. Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: Cool
wet weather conditions prevailed this week making field work
difficult. Some corn fields being prepared for planting on
lighter soils, ponding water in scattered locations.
Pastures and meadows of fields planted to rye last year
beginning to green up. Some livestock on pasture. Beekeepers
getting in packages of new bees, starting up hives, not many
dandylions out yet. Cool and wet pretty much sums it up.
Greenhouses and nurseries geared up for Mother's Day
openings had one of the better days, although could have
used more sun. Tom Buob (Ext), Grafton: Cool weather
continued, but slightly drier conditions allowed for some
field work. Mostly field prep including manure application
and tillage. Some corn planting occurred late in the week.
Soil still cold along with the air. Steve Schmidt (FSA),
Grafton: Fieldwork is in high gear. Manure is being spread,
plowing, harrowing, and a small amount of corn has been
planted. County area received very little snow in the
Connecticut River valley from Lyme on north, until the first
week of March. The open winter, combined with sub-zero
temperatures forced the frost down deep into the ground.
Winter kill on Alfalfa is again prevalent around the county
this spring. It's not as bad as last year, but it is still a
serious loss situation. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: 
Fruits: Orchardists made sure bees were in apple orchards at
end of week. There is a shortage of bees, due to winter kill
caused by mites. Cherry trees were at full bloom to petal
fall. Peach and pear trees are at full bloom. Apples are in
pink stage. Blueberries is at pink bud stage. Orchardists
are fertilizing orchards and are applying protective
fungicide sprays on fruit trees and blueberries. Field
Crops: Farmers are fertilizing hayfields; spreading manure,
plowing, discing fertilizing and planting corn. Some winter
damage to alfalfa was seen. 
Vegetables: Continue early season vegetables (peas, lettuce,
greens, cole crops) planting, along with sweet corn and
potatoes. Liming, fertilizing, plowing, discing and getting
ready plant fields. Laying plastic mulch and drip irrigation
tape. Harvesting asparagus. Nada Haddad (Ext), Rockingham:
Finishing pruning fruit trees, blueberries, raspberries and
grapes. Spraying protective fungicides in fruit orchards.
Applying fertilizer. Plowing, discing and broadcasting
fertilizer on vegetable fields. Spreading manure on field
corn. Pasture looks good. Could use some sun and warmer
temperature. Garden Centers are ready but few customers
because of the wet weather. Pam Marvin (FSA), Sullivan: Too
much cold weather for this time of year. Three days in a row
of frost could spell trouble for early blossoms of
strawberries, etc. Land preparation and manure spreading of
corn fields continues with more planting being done this
week. First crop of hay coming along nicely, but have had
reports of alfalfa winter kill. Some will be plowed up and
put in to corn, others will be reseeded. More fields of
sweet corn being planted along with early vegetables.
Geoffrey Njue (Ext), Strafford: Another wet week. It was a
difficult week to work the fields due to very wet
conditions. Pastures and hay fields doing very well. Fruit
growers putting preventative sprays for tarnish plant bugs
and for scab. vegetable growers planting cool season crops
and hoop house tomatoes. Greenhouses and garden centers busy
with mothers' day sales, but could have been better if the
weather was good.

RHODE ISLAND - Karen Menezes (Ext), Newport: Lots of cold,
rainy wind hit the end of the week, reminding us that summer
is still off in the distance. Planting potatoes and
harrowing all fields. Spreading manure. Spraying fruit trees
and Christmas trees has been stalled due to the wind. The
greenhouses are full and still waiting field planting.
Roadside stands have lots of early spring color and cole
crop seedlings. Mother's day will be busy. 

VERMONT - John St. Onge/Kim Peterson (FSA), Lamoille: Feels
like the cool temperatures have put us about a week behind
the average for this time of year. Pasture growth is slow
with a few animals recently turned out. The weekend saw some
corn being planted on well drained fields. Sheep being shorn
before weather gets hot. Dave Blodgett (NRCS), Orleans:
Landowners are spreading manure on crop fields. Some have
let animals out to pasture. The cool wet weather has slowed
spring work. Perley Sparrow (FSA), Windham: Another week of
frosty morning and cool daytime. Corn in the southern part
of the county has been planted. Hay crops are growing fast.
Alfalfa that made it through the winter is knee high and is
looking strong. Veggie crops are slow due the cool
temperatures. Dennis Kauppila (Ext), Caledonia: Cool damp
week. Spreading manure, fixing fence, getting corn ground
ready to plant. We are ready for some warm weather. A few
more heifers out, but there is no feed in pastures yet.
Terrance Bradshaw (UVM),  Chittenden: Apples progressing
slowly, expect first bloom from 5/11 to 5/15. Good weather
this week for spray applications. Apple scab ascospore
development has progressed to a critical management stage.
Sherwin Williams, Rutland: Asparagus beds fertilized ready
for warm weather. Plowing, harrowing and applying fertilizer
for sweet corn fields. Two acres of peas planted, first
planting just starting to break ground. Early garden
vegetables planted, such as radishes, lettuce, spinach and
onions. We need some warm sunny days. 

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

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Statistician: Travis Averill
Stat Assistant: Lynne Arsenault
Deputy Director: Gearld Tillman

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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