Dry Conditions Allow Louisiana Farmers to Make Up Lost Time
Dry conditions across Louisiana have allowed farmers to make up for lost time this fall and make big strides in fall row crop harvest and sugarcane planting. The latest Crop Progress and Condition Report from the National Ag Statistics Service shows big progress in fall harvest with cotton harvest now 46 completed and soybean harvest at 74 percent.
Sugarcane planting, which had been severely delayed because of heavy rainfall and flooding, is wrapping up with 93 percent of the crop now in the ground.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents:
“We are very dry. Soybean harvest is about complete. Defoliants applied to cotton. Fall land preparation under way re-hipping rows.” – Carol-Pinnell-Alison, Franklin Parish
“Soybean harvest well under way and in the home stretch for some producers. Yields are mixed and range from the teen's to the 60 bu. per ac., with some zero yield out there related to flooding. Rice harvest is done, sugarcane harvest cranks up, and crawfish ponds are going to flood. Pastures and hay fields have dried quickly. Hay producers are in high gear now. However armyworms and the tropical sod webworm are destroying pastures and lawns area wide.” – Vincent Deshotel, Saint Landry Parish
“Drier conditions have finally allowed our sugarcane growers to finish planting.” – Mark Carriere, Pointe Coupee Parish
“Drier and somewhat cooler weather conditions have allowed for producers to plant sugarcane, harvest soybeans and bail hay. Soybean and hay quality is down. Sugarcane planting ratios are very respectful. Some sugarcane mills opened at end of week. Sugar and tonnage seem to about average for the first few days of grinding.” – Blair Hebert, Iberia Parish
“A dry week allowed farmers to make great strides towards wrapping up cane planting. Cane grinding started as growers struggled to finish planting and start harvesting at the same time. Early reports on the cane crop show good sugar levels but lighter than expected tonnage. Newly planted cane fields could use a little moisture. Hay baling and soybean harvest are in full swing. Soybean yields are variable depending on the level of flood damage. Cattle producers are planting winter ryegrass pastures but are leary of high armyworm levels. Cooler temperatures toward the end of the week made it seem like fall is in the air.” – Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish
“With continued improving weather, drier conditions, preparations for winter pasture has started. Fall planting of crops in the Mustard family is in process.” – Henry Harrison, Washington Parish