Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending May 13, 2012.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Mississippi, there were 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, May 13, 2012. Mississippi received needed rains this weekend. Rains have greatly improved crop conditions for hay, watermelons, and blueberries. There are reports of bugs in wheat fields. Resistant weeds continue to plague growers. Soil moisture was rated 2 percent very short 11 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.

Comments

“Fertilizer and herbicides were the main activity this week. Cotton is out of the ground and looking good. I am seeing a lot of plant bugs in wheat and weeds. This may be a bug year.”
–StephenWinters, Grenada

“Rains were welcomed this weekend. Amounts varied, but most of the county received at least a 1/2 inch. Growers were watering corn and trying to finish up planting cotton and soybeans. The focus will turn to getting herbicides out after this rain and finishing up planting. Resistant weeds have been an issue this spring and continue to create hardships for growers. We are off to a good start and the weather looks to remain mild for most of the month of May.”
–Preston Aust, Humphreys

“Crops overall need a good soaking rain.”
–Lester Stephens, Washington

“Rains over the past week and weekend will go a long way in boosting growth in pastures, filling up ponds and encouraging growth in hay fields.”
–Ruby D. Rankin, Kemper

“Recent rains have helped the crop situation. Some good rye grass hay has been harvested. However, most rye grass has headed out at this time. Corn planting has finished. Most horticultural crops have been planted and are up and growing well. Some aphid pressure on tomatoes.”
–Lee Taylor, Lamar

Tags: crop progress, crop weather and condition, USDA reports