ga-crop-weather State Georgia Crop Weather Week Ending Date January 29, 2006 Issue GA-CW0406 Agricultural Summary January 29, 2006 NO CHANGE IN THE WEATHER The warmer and wetter than normal weather continued through the last full week of January, according to the USDA, NASS, Georgia Field Office. Overall, soil moisture conditions were rated 3 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. Wet field conditions, in some areas of the state, limited work in the fields. Mud in the pastures has begun to become a problem at many dairy and beef cattle farms. Small grain conditions continued to improve. Growers plan to begin topdressing of small grains soon. Late planted winter grazing was not growing very well. Some farmers reported burning pastures and hay fields. Cotton farmers continued mowing stalks. Other activities included harrowing fields, preparation for spring vegetable crops, soil testing and lime application, spreading litter on cropland, the completion of vineyard pruning, and the routine care of livestock and poultry. Many livestock farmers continued to rely heavily on hay for feeding. County Extension Agents reported an average of 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Crop Progress Table January 29, 2006 Data for this table will resume April 2006. CROP CONDITION January 29, 2006 Crop Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent --Percentages-- Vegetables 0 4 39 56 1 Wheat 0 5 38 56 1 Pasture 7 12 48 32 1 PASTURE CONDITION - DISTRICT* LEVEL January 29, 2006 Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent --Percentages-- Dist 1(NW) 22 26 52 0 0 Dist 2(NC) 0 7 34 58 1 Dist 3(NE) 0 6 85 9 0 Dist 4(WC) 1 15 48 36 0 Dist 5(C) 7 9 43 40 1 Dist 6(EC) 15 7 52 26 0 Dist 7(SW) 1 16 36 45 2 Dist 8(SC) 11 16 49 22 2 Dist 9(SE) 0 1 51 48 0 *A list of the counties in each of the nine Georgia Agricultural Statistics Districts is available at http://www.nass.usda.gov/ga/ctyests/districts.pdf. Soil Moisture Table Jan 29, 2006 Prev Year 5 Year Avg --Percentages-- Very Short 0 NA NA Short 3 NA NA Adequate 82 NA NA Surplus 15 NA NA SOIL MOISTURE - DISTRICT LEVEL January 29, 2006 Very Short Short Adequate Surplus --Percentages-- Dist 1(NW) 0 4 67 29 Dist 2(NC) 0 1 80 19 Dist 3(NE) 5 21 74 0 Dist 4(WC) 0 1 79 20 Dist 5(C) 0 1 86 13 Dist 6(EC) 0 3 85 12 Dist 7(SW) 0 5 74 21 Dist 8(SC) 0 5 86 9 Dist 9(SE) 0 0 96 4 Weather Information Table GEORGIA WEATHER SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK ENDING MIDNIGHT, SUNDAY JANUARY 29, 2006 1/ Data Not Available. District Highlights These comments are written by the Georgia County Extension Agents, and have been compiled and edited by the Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service. DISTRICT COMMENTS - Week 04 January 29, 2006 DISTRICT 1 - NORTHWEST No comments available. DISTRICT 2 - NORTH CENTRAL Unseasonably warm temperatures - wet field conditions limited field work - main activity was routine care of livestock and poultry and completion of vineyard pruning. DISTRICT 3 - NORTHEAST No comments available. DISTRICT 4 - WEST CENTRAL No comments available. DISTRICT 5 - CENTRAL Small grain conditions continued to improve while pasture conditions continued to decline. Topdressing of small grains will begin soon. Heavy hay feeding to livestock continued. Mud is a problem on our dairies and some of the beef farms. Late planted winter grazing was not growing very well. It has been cold and relatively dry. DISTRICT 6 - EAST CENTRAL Lots of litter being spread on cropland. DISTRICT 7 - SOUTHWEST Soil testing and lime applications. Field prep for spring vegetable crops. DISTRICT 8 - SOUTH CENTRAL Spreading lime and harrowing fields not in conservation tillage. Winter small grains for forage were growing slowly. Cattle producers having to supplement with hay and cottonseed. Burning some pastures and hay fields. Mowing cotton stalks. DISTRICT 9 - SOUTHEAST No crops growing. Find agricultural statistics for your county, State, and the Nation at www.usda.gov/nass/. Contact Information David S. Abbe, Director USDA-NASS Georgia Field Office Phone: 706-546-2236 E-mail: nass-ga@nass.usda.gov Website: http://www.nass.usda.gov/ga