ga-crop-weather State Georgia Crop Weather Week Ending Date March 19, 2006 Issue GA-CW1106 Agricultural Summary March 19, 2006 STILL WARM March continued to be dry and warm through its third week, according to the USDA, NASS, Georgia Field Office. The state experienced an average low in the mid 40's and an average high in the low 70's. Many counties received light to moderate rain during the early part of the week. Soil moisture conditions were rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Pastures began to green as a result of the week's warm temperatures. Many counties began preparing land and equipment for spring planting. Corn planting was well underway in other areas. Hay supplies declined as livestock continued on supplemental feeding. Many counties reported a need for rain, especially for cover crops, small grains, and recent plantings. Other activities reported included routine care of poultry and livestock, fertilizing pastures and hay fields, pasture weed control, weaning of fall calves, and primary tillage in fields. Peaches continued to bloom. County Extension Agents reported an average of 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork. CROP PROGRESS Mar 19, Prev Prev 5 Year 2006 Week Year Avg Corn, Planted 21 8 NA NA Wheat, Jointing 40 28 NA NA Wheat, Boot 7 2 NA NA Peaches, Blooming 23 12 NA NA Watermelons, Planted 8 1 NA NA CROP CONDITION March 19, 2006 Crop Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent --Percentages-- Vegetables 0 2 37 56 5 Wheat 0 3 35 55 7 Pasture 5 11 45 37 2 PASTURE CONDITION - DISTRICT* LEVEL March 19, 2006 Very Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent --Percentages-- Dist 1(NW) 15 18 53 14 0 Dist 2(NC) 0 5 21 69 5 Dist 3(NE) 0 3 45 52 0 Dist 4(WC) 11 13 39 37 0 Dist 5(C) 4 7 35 50 4 Dist 6(EC) 0 5 67 26 2 Dist 7(SW) 3 29 40 26 2 Dist 8(SC) 8 9 48 35 0 Dist 9(SE) 0 6 52 41 1 *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 Mar 19, 2006 Prev Year 5 Year Avg --Percentages-- Very Short 5 NA NA Short 22 NA NA Adequate 68 NA NA Surplus 5 NA NA SOIL MOISTURE - DISTRICT* LEVEL March 19, 2006 Very Short Short Adequate Surplus --Percentages-- Dist 1(NW) 10 34 56 0 Dist 2(NC) 0 3 90 7 Dist 3(NE) 1 30 67 2 Dist 4(WC) 0 2 84 14 Dist 5(C) 0 19 74 7 Dist 6(EC) 10 26 64 0 Dist 7(SW) 17 29 49 5 Dist 8(SC) 0 32 66 2 Dist 9(SE) 3 25 67 5 *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. Weather Information Table GEORGIA WEATHER SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK ENDING MIDNIGHT, SUNDAY MARCH 19, 2006 1/ 2006 Air Temperature Precipitation Totals Extreme Weekly Rain 30 60 Soil Location Max Min AvG Weekly Day Day Day Season Temp DATA NOT AVAILABLE 1/ Weather data supplied by Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring Network (AEMN) and the office of the State Climatologist, University of Georgia. For detailed Georgia weather data visit the AEMN homepage, www.georgiaweather.net. NA - 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 March 19, 2006 DISTRICT 1 - NORTHWEST Producers are fertilizing pastures and hay fields. Controlling annual weeds in both as well. Weaning fall calves. We are presently 5+ inches behind for the year on rainfall. DISTRICT 2 - NORTH CENTRAL Some primary tillage in fields this week - routine care of livestock and poultry - some pasture weed control this week. DISTRICT 3 - NORTHEAST No comments available. DISTRICT 4 - WEST CENTRAL No comments available. DISTRICT 5 - CENTRAL Pastures beginning to green up just a little due to warm temperatures. Heavy hay feeding continues for livestock and hay supplies for some producers getting really short. Small grains continue to look good. Land being prepared for spring planting and some corn planting beginning. Preparing to begin much of our planting soon. We are waiting on the last cold snap to arrive. DISTRICT 6 - EAST CENTRAL Close to making strawberries (on plastic), finishing up fertilizing and spreading broiler litter, breaking land. Need rain really bad. Have not had rain since February 25th. DISTRICT 7 - SOUTHWEST We received 0.34" of rainfall. Hay shortages (livestock) in local area. Need rain before we can continue to plant. DISTRICT 8 - SOUTH CENTRAL Getting land and equipment ready to plant. Getting dry, we could use some rainfall. Cover crops and small grains really could use some rainfall. DISTRICT 9 - SOUTHEAST Nothing growing yet. Find agricultural statistics for your county, State, and the Nation at www.usda.gov/nass/. Media Contact: 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