Continued Dry Weather Helps Farmers Catch Up
Louisiana farmers have made up for lost time and used the recent dry spell to finish up row crop harvest, hay baling and get a good jump on the sugarcane harvest.
The latest report from the National Ag Statistics Service shows cotton harvest on-pace at 67 percent complete, soybean harvest wrapping up at 87 percent done and sugarcane harvest off to a good start with 10 percent of the crop out of the field.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents
“We are very dry. Soybean harvest almost finished. Just a few acres remain to harvest. Cotton harvest started. Ryegrass planting delayed due to dry conditions.” – Carol-Pinnell-Alison, Franklin Parish
“Field conditions are dry, the soybean harvest nears the end with some good yields where the crop was not affected by the August flood. Hay balers are rolling, crawfish acres are going under flood, and land prep for next year’s crop is underway. Cattle pastures are dry, planting of winter forages will be delayed from higher than normal temperatures, and the threat of armyworms. Cattle prices continue on a downward trend with no indication of improvement soon.” – Vincent Deshotel, Saint Landry Parish
“Dry weather allowed for continued hay harvest, completion of sugarcane planting and rice and soybean harvest. Some second crop rice has been harvested. Cattle producers continue to wean and market calves. Ryegrass plantings are suffering due to lack of moisture. Some have held off planting until rains come.” – Andrew Granger, Vermilion Parish
“Dry conditions continued this week. More hay pasture cut. Soybean harvest increasing. Beef producers preparing ryegrass pastures. Could use a rain shower this week.” – James “Jimmy” Meaux, Calcasieu Parish
“A dry week created ideal harvest conditions. Sugarcane growers continue to report lighter than expected tonnage but good sugar. Plant cane could use some moisture. Ideal conditions for hay cutting allowed forage producers to make good progress on baling. Livestock producers continue to plant cool season forages. Rice and soybean growers are reporting decent harvest yields on acreage not impacted by flooding.” – Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish
“Once again this week drier and somewhat cooler weather has been the norm. Sugarcane planting, soybean harvest, and bailing of hay is all but done. All local sugarcane mills are operating as harvest is in full swing. Mills are reporting good recoverable sugar (205-215 range); however tonnage is below normal.” – Blair Hebert, Iberia Parish