ga-crop-weather State Georgia Crop Weather Week Ending Date February 22, 2009 Issue GA-CW0809 Agricultural Summary February 23, 2009 IMPROVED TOPSOIL CONDITIONS The State experienced cold conditions with heavy rains and high winds mid week, according to the USDA, NASS, Georgia Field Office. The rains have been beneficial, but have been scattered. There were reports of damage from the strong winds that occurred Wednesday and Thursday. Daily average high temperatures ranged from the mid-50's to upper 60's. Lows averaged from the mid-20's to the upper-30's. Soil moisture conditions were rated at 3% very short, 24% short, 68% adequate, and 5% surplus. Precipitation, with warm weather, has improved the condition of small grains and other crops. Farmers began topdressing small grains and winter grazing as weather permitted. In some areas wheat growth slowed due to cold temperatures and lack of rain to activate nitrogen. Other activities included fertilizing and spraying weeds in pastures and hayfields, feeding hay to livestock, and the routine care of poultry and livestock. County Extension Agents reported an average of 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Crop Progress for Week Ending 02/22/09 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Stage : This Week : Prev Week : Prev Year : 5 Year Avg -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Data collection for crop progress will resume in March 2009. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Condition for Week Ending 02/22/09 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop :Very Poor : Poor : Fair : Good :Excellent -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Winter Wheat : 1 5 42 46 6 Range and Pasture : 11 19 43 26 1 Vegetables : 1 8 51 40 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topsoil Moisture for Week Ending 02/22/09 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : This Week :Previous Week : 5 Year Avg -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : Very Short : 3 2 0 Short : 24 36 0 Adequate : 68 59 0 Surplus : 5 3 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topsoil Moisture for Week Ending 02/22/09, by District -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- District : Very Short : Short : Adequate : Surplus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : District 1 (NW) : 0 9 76 15 District 2 (NC) : 0 20 71 9 District 3 (NE) : 1 34 64 1 District 4 (WC) : 2 30 61 7 District 5 (C) : 4 20 68 8 District 6 (EC) : 0 31 65 4 District 7 (SW) : 10 25 65 0 District 8 (SC) : 1 20 74 5 District 9 (SE) : 2 33 65 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. Pasture Condition for Week Ending 02/22/09, by District -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- District : Very Poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : District 1 (NW) : 8 21 38 33 0 District 2 (NC) : 0 4 58 36 2 District 3 (NE) : 2 35 44 19 0 District 4 (WC) : 19 27 31 23 0 District 5 (C) : 20 14 27 36 3 District 6 (EC) : 25 11 60 4 0 District 7 (SW) : 11 14 49 23 3 District 8 (SC) : 5 25 46 24 0 District 9 (SE) : 1 13 61 25 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. Weather Summary for Week Ending 02/22/09, by Station Location ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Temperature : Precipitation : Location :-----------------:-------------------------------------:Soil : Max : Min : Avg :Weekly : Days :30 Day :60 Day:Season :Temp ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weather data are not available for the week ending 02/22/2009. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *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 February 22, 2009 DISTRICT 1 - NORTHWEST Received 1.35 inches of rain for the week, slow rains that really soaked in. DISTRICT 2 - NORTH CENTRAL Routine care of livestock, heavy thundershowers this week. DISTRICT 3 - NORTHEAST Received 0.5 to 1.0 inches of rain throughout the county on Wednesday. DISTRICT 4 - WEST CENTRAL Cold, dry, windy, almost an inch rain received. Routine care of livestock, liming forages, prepping for weed control in forages. DISTRICT 5 - CENTRAL Stormy, with heavy rains and high winds mid week. Some wind damage. Heavy hay feeding continues for livestock. Small grain growers getting ready to topdress small grains when things dry out some. The mild days were welcomed; however, the rainfall was equally welcomed. DISTRICT 6 - EAST CENTRAL Dry conditions persist, minimal precipitation fell. DISTRICT 7 - SOUTHWEST Some rain was received. Wheat growth slow due to cold temperatures and lack of rain to activate nitrogen. DISTRICT 8 - SOUTH CENTRAL We got about 2 plus inches of rain during this week. This rain was very needful! DISTRICT 9 - SOUTHEAST No comments available.