LSU AgCenter Agents: Soybean Planting Speeds Ahead

Soybean planting surged forward last week according to comments by LSU AgCenter Agents in this week's Louisiana Crop Progress and Condition Report.

“The majority of the soybean crop was planted in recent days, waiting on moisture to get the remainder planted. The rice and sugarcane crops turned a new leaf with big changes in crop performance in recent days. Livestock and hay producers are finally getting an opportunity to make progress as hay fields and pastures dry. The crawfish catch remains well, but some producers are pulling traps to drain ponds to prepare seedbeds for planting crops.” – Vincent Deshotel, Saint Landry Parish

“Sugarcane farmers made good progress with fertilizer applications and should finish next week. Some sugarcane farmers have started "lay-by" activities. A few more cattle producers made hay. Spring gardens are starting to produce. A few more crawfish ponds were drained due to smaller catches and reduced prices. Rain would be welcomed for all area agriculture.” – Blair Hebert, Iberia Parish

“Dry weather last week has caused farmers who do not have permanent floods on rice yet to flush their fields. Dry fields could use some moisture. Many fields have established a permanent flood with more to come. Large percentage of the soybeans got planted this past week. Some fields are very dry and could use some rain. First cuttings on pastures were in full swing this past week as the weather allowed for good drying of forage.” – Jeremy Hebert, Acadia Parish

“Cool, dry weather continued to slow crop development. Hay producers have ideal baling conditions but hay tonnage is light. Onions, sweet corn, garlic and potatoes are being harvested in spring gardens. Tomatoes will be ripening shortly. Peaches, blackberries and pecans appear to have a good fruit set. Some soybeans seem stunted by the cool weather. Sugarcane growers are wrapping up fertilizing and cultivating activities. Crawfish producers are draining ponds as prices fall.” – Stuart Gauthier, Saint Martin Parish