End in Sight for Soybean Planting
A week of good weather allowed progress in the fields to continue throughout the state. The latest Crop Progress and Condition report from the Louisiana Ag Statistics Service shows that soybean planting is coming closer to a close with 90 percent planted and also shows sweet potatoes moving forward with 23 percent planted.
Sugar and sorghum seemed to have overcome the wet spring with well over half of both crops falling into the good to excellent categories.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents:
“Received timely rain this past week. Corn in various stages of growth due to extended planting. Some late planted cotton on flooded ground. Soybeans looking good.” – Carol Pinnell-Alison, Franklin Parish
“Very dry conditions and rain is in the forecast for the coming week possibly the weekend. Watermelons are fine but sweet corn, tomatoes and others needing some rain for those without irrigation.” – Henry Harrison, Washington Parish
“Drier, sunnier weather allowed for good progress on cane fields and allowed for late planted rice to establish and speeded growth and development. Cattle ranchers continued to work cows and calves and some hay was harvested. Most of the rice was at green ring or beyond with some beginning to head.” – Andrew Granger, Vermilion Parish
“Heavy rains toward the end of the week halted fieldwork. Sugarcane continues to make good growth and hot temperatures seem to be depressing brown rust development. Home gardeners are digging potatoes, onions and garlic and harvesting spring tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and snap beans. Blackberries, blueberries and peaches are producing in home orchards.” – Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish
“Dry, favorable conditions during the past week allowed much progress in the field. The majority of sugarcane farmers are finished fertilizing and are working on lay by.” – Sarah Everhart, Jefferson Parish