Corn & Rice Planting Underway in Louisiana
Corn planters are rolling across Louisiana and rice farmers are getting seed in the ground. The first Crop Progress and Condition report for 2017 shows 10 percent of the corn crop is now in the ground and rice planting is at the five percent mark.
Comments from Cooperative Extension Service Parish Agents
“Corn planting has begun. Recent rainfall has slowed the process.” – Carol Pinnell -Alison, Franklin Parish
“Periodic showers have kept fields just wet enough to delay corn planting. Burn down has gone out and some fieldwork has taken place. The cooler temperatures that are forecast for next week and wet ground will probably delay planting a little while longer. Sweet potato bedding should begin in the next few weeks. Vegetable producers have greenhouses up and going and transplants are coming along nicely.” – Bruce Garner, West Carroll Parish
“Crop year starting off good. Small showers every week or so have keep ryegrass growing. It is still dry enough for farmers to work some fields and plant rice. More rice should start being planted this coming week if conditions continue to warm.” – James “Jimmy” Meaux, Calcasieu Parish
“Some corn and rice acres have been planted in the recent weeks. However, recent widespread rains and cooler weather have the slow field work in these areas. Crawfish seem to be plentiful with somewhat steady prices. A bright spot in the cattle market have producers encouraged coming off of some lows from late last summer and fall. Despite a mild weather throughout the winter months, winter pasture plantings held up really well into early spring. Calving season is upon us with plentiful grazing for spring. There is some speculation on spring planted crops as we look to see a possible increase in soybean acres and possible fewer rice acres.” – Vincent Deshotel, Saint Landry Parish
“Rice has been planted little by little the last couple of weeks. As farmers push to drill plant, rain seems to back them up every other day. With the semi mild winter, cattle are holding their own with spring calves hitting the ground and growing.” – Bradley Pousson, Cameron Parish
“Field work and crop progress continue to advance a couple of weeks ahead of schedule due to warm and relatively dry conditions. An abundant crawfish catch is suppressing prices. Cattle producers are making the final application of fertilizer to cool season pastures to extend grazing and possibly to make hay. Pruning and fertilizing of fruit trees is in full swing along with spring garden planting. Some weak sugarcane stubble is being plowed out and some growers are starting to apply fertilizer.” – Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish