Sweet Potato Harvest Ahead of Pace; Cane Harvest on Track
Harvest is moving at a rapid pace for Louisiana's final two crops to harvest in 2016. The latest Crop Progress and Condition Report from the National Ag Statistics Service shows sweet potato harvest now at 84 percent complete, well ahead of the five year average of 72 percent. Sugarcane harvest is right on track at 25 percent done.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents:
“Harvest is complete except for sweet potatoes. Some producers planted winter grazing even though it is still very dry. Others waiting for some rain.” – Carol-Pinnell-Alison, Franklin Parish
“The recent cool front brought spotty showers across the area, additional rains would be beneficial. Dry conditions are setting back winter pasture plantings and wheat acres that will be planted. Second crop rice is coming off with very mixed yields, reports of good sugar coming with the early harvested sugarcane, and sweet potatoes were impacted from the excessive rains in August. Land prep for 2017 crops continues, while producers make decisions on what will be planted.” – Vincent Deshotel, Saint Landry Parish
“Dry conditions allowed for very efficient sugarcane harvest, finishing up on hay harvest and ratoon crop rice harvest. Some cattle ranchers are waiting on moisture to plant. The cool weather should help slow down armyworms.” – Andrew Granger, Vermilion Parish
“Dry weather conditions again this week. Sugarcane harvest is progressing nicely with tremendous recoverable sugar; however tonnage remains below normal. Sugarcane farmers are plowing out old stubble, and preparing fields for next year. Much low quality hay has been bailed, and lots of cool season grass planted. Crawfish ponds have been prepared, and are flooded up as cages will go out in November to December in most ponds.” – Blair Hebert, Iberia Parish
“Dry conditions continue to facilitate the harvesting of crops. Sugarcane farmers are reporting good sugar with some improvement in tonnage as they move into better cane. Ideal harvest conditions have allowed some sugarcane growers to already be a quarter of the way thru harvest. If this rate continues cane harvest might be finished before Christmas. Soybean harvest is winding down with yields in the 40 bushel range being reported on beans that were not severely flood damaged. Cool season pasture planting continues but rain is needed for development to commence. Crawfish ponds are being flooded and the dry weather is making pumping more costly” – Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish
“Very dry conditions persist. Cold front has moved in making fieldwork pleasant.” – Anna Timmerman, Jefferson Parish