ga-crop-weather State Georgia Crop Weather Week Ending Date August 25, 2008 Issue GA-CW3408 Agricultural Summary August 25, 2008 TROPICAL STORM Rain from Tropical Storm Fay brought needed moisture to farmers in some areas in the state but was too much for other, according to the USDA, NASS, Georgia Field Office. Daily average high temperatures were in the high 80's. Average lows were in the 60's most of week. Soil moisture conditions were rated at 17% very short, 24% short, 40% adequate, and 19% surplus. The rains provided cooler temperatures and helped to replenish soil moisture. Tropical Storm Fay damaged corn, cotton and pecans in southern Georgia. There has been concern about rust in soybeans and disease in peanuts after the storm. Dry conditions have still been reported in some areas of the state. Other activities included feeding livestock. County Extension Agents reported an average of 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Crop Progress for Week Ending 08/24/08 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Stage : This Week : Prev Week : Prev Year : 5 Year Avg -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Corn Mature : 84 69 81 86 Corn Harvested for Grain : 27 14 32 32 Soybeans Blooming : 90 84 89 94 Soybeans Setting Pods : 68 55 63 77 Soybeans Dropping Leaves : 0 NA 1 4 Sorghum Harvested : 23 21 2 12 Cotton Setting Bolls : 96 95 99 99 Apples Harvested : 9 7 10 14 Peanuts Pegging : 0 NA 0 0 Tobacco Harvested : 64 55 66 80 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition for Week Ending 08/24/08 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop :Very Poor : Poor : Fair : Good :Excellent -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Corn : 4 17 28 42 9 Soybeans : 5 14 40 36 5 Sorghum : 4 8 42 44 2 Cotton : 5 10 33 42 10 Range and Pasture : 11 22 36 27 4 Apples : 0 4 18 21 57 Hay : 9 26 38 24 3 Peanuts : 2 7 30 48 13 Pecans : 2 12 41 40 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topsoil Moisture for Week Ending 08/24/08 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This Week :Previous Week : 5 Year Avg -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Very Short : 17 14 12 Short : 24 36 27 Adequate : 40 47 52 Surplus : 19 3 8 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topsoil Moisture for Week Ending 08/24/08, by District -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- District : Very Short : Short : Adequate : Surplus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : District 1 (NW) : 23 59 18 0 District 2 (NC) : 33 47 20 0 District 3 (NE) : 52 34 14 0 District 4 (WC) : 12 6 40 42 District 5 (C) : 10 34 48 8 District 6 (EC) : 27 22 51 0 District 7 (SW) : 7 16 39 38 District 8 (SC) : 6 3 52 39 District 9 (SE) : 0 2 70 28 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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. Pasture Condition for Week Ending 08/24/08, by District -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- District : Very Poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : District 1 (NW) : 9 19 38 34 0 District 2 (NC) : 14 33 42 10 1 District 3 (NE) : 44 29 27 0 0 District 4 (WC) : 9 20 31 40 0 District 5 (C) : 4 25 47 22 2 District 6 (EC) : 20 36 32 12 0 District 7 (SW) : 2 18 30 43 7 District 8 (SC) : 0 11 39 35 15 District 9 (SE) : 0 7 23 64 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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 Summary for Week Ending 08/24/08, by Station Location ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Temperature : Precipitation : Location :-----------------:-------------------------------------:Soil : Max : Min : Avg :Weekly : Days :30 Day :60 Day:Season :Temp ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weather data are not available for week ending 8/24/2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Weather data are supplied by the 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 at www.georgiaweather.net. DISTRICT COMMENTS August 24, 2008 DISTRICT 1 - NORTHWEST It appears that we are going to miss out on the rains again. We were hoping that Tropical Storm Fay was coming so that we would receive some much needed rains. Maybe next go round! DISTRICT 2 - NORTH CENTRAL Drought continues to cause decline in corn, pasture and hay condition - commercial grape harvest beginning. DISTRICT 3 - NORTHEAST We are in desperate need of significant rainfall. Doesn't look like Tropical Storm Fay is going to be any help. DISTRICT 4 - WEST CENTRAL Much needed rain was received over the weekend from the Tropical system. Tropical Storm Fay brought from 3-6 inches of rain, countywide. Desperately need rain. Tropical Storm Fay brought only minimal moisture to this area, but we're thankful and expect more along with rest of state. Hay and pastures have made some gains lately, but are still way off. Thoughts are on small grain for winter grazing plantings and clover additions into pastures. DISTRICT 5 - CENTRAL We are anticipating rainfall from Tropical Storm Fay. We did receive 2.08 inches of rainfall on Aug 13th which was our highest recording of rainfall for the month. Lots of cloud cover but very little precipitation so far due to Tropical Storm Fay. Welcome rains! Pastures and hayfields greening up! Corn harvesting halted due to rain. Rains last week and cooler conditions this week have helped replenish soil moisture. Pasture conditions are better this week as a result. Livestock are healthier due to milder weather. Many farmers are weaning calves during this time. DISTRICT 6 - EAST CENTRAL Got very little from Tropical Storm Fay. Need one more good soaker to put us "over the hump" with peanuts, soybeans and cotton. Reported corn yields are ranging down as low as 140 irrigated. I still believe the heat hurt us pretty badly but it remains to be seen. Hay production is non-existent. Tropical Storm Fay brought some rain. Cooler temperatures. DISTRICT 7 - SOUTHWEST Tropical Storm Fay expected to bring heavy rainfall to area during the weekend. Tropical Storm Fay did significant damage to remaining corn, cotton and pecans. Significant amounts of rain are expected over the weekend from Tropical Storm Fay. Heavy rainfall - up to 25 inches in some parts of the county. Significant amounts of rain are expected over the weekend from Tropical Storm Fay. Some tobacco growers are 95% harvested however my largest grower is only 65% harvested. We also have a lot of corn not harvested that we are concerned this storm may damage. We need some rain but not in excess or high winds. DISTRICT 8 - SOUTH CENTRAL Getting lots of rainfall from TS Fay. All farming operations in the field have ceased. Still feeding livestock and conducting broiler duties. Working in shop to get harvest equipment ready and general maintenance of equipment. Concerned about soybean rust and soil diseases in peanuts after the storm. Corn is vulnerable to wind and grain rot. But on the bright side the rainfall is much needed to replenish reserves in ponds, streams and creeks and rivers and aquifer and subsoil moisture, etc. Hate to see all of the erosion and any crop destruction. Tobacco may be drowning also. We will just have to wait and see. 3 to 4 inches of rain from Tropical Storm Fay. DISTRICT 9 - SOUTHEAST 5.5 to 7 inches of rain reported for most of the Southern portions of the county reporting 8.5 inches.