State NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER Week ending date 08/24/03 Issue NH-CW3403 Volume 23, Number 18 (issued weekly on the Internet, May - October) August 25, 2003 - 4 pm -- Agricultural Summary -- EXCELLENT HAY MAKING CONDITIONS For the week ending August 24, 2003, there were 6.2 days available for field work across New England. Topsoil moisture was rated 0% very short, 9% short, 72% adequate, 19% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 0% very short, 14% short, 76% adequate, 10% surplus. Pasture condition was rated as 1% very poor, 10% poor, 24% fair, 47% good, 18% excellent. The week started out hot and humid, but turned cool and dry by the weekend. All in all, it was a great week in New England for field activities and crop harvest. Major farm activities included: cutting haylage and making dry hay; harvesting broadleaf and shade tobacco, potatoes, small grains, apples, peaches, highbush blueberries, wild blueberries and vegetables; desiccating potato vines; spreading manure; mowing; pruning; weeding; monitoring fields; preparing harvest equipment; applying insecticides and fungicides; performing general farm maintenance. SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ----------------------------------------------- Soil Rating This Week Last Week Last Year ----------------------------------------------- -- Percent -- Topsoil Moisture Very Short 0 0 35 Short 9 2 42 Adequate 72 72 23 Surplus 19 26 0 Subsoil Moisture Very Short 0 0 32 Short 14 15 41 Adequate 76 64 27 Surplus 10 21 0 ----------------------------------------------- -- Field Crops Report -- Last week's warm, dry weather provided excellent conditions for making hay. Second and third crop hay harvests remained behind schedule due to earlier wet conditions. Field corn continued to improve with last week's hot, humid weather; crop condition was rated as good to excellent, and some are expecting a bumper crop this year. Potato growers in Maine began vine desiccation in preparation for harvest, while harvest progress in the southern states reached 20 percent last week. After fields dried out from approximately four weeks of rain, Maine farmers were able to catch up on grain crop harvest. Shade and broadleaf tobacco harvests both passed the half- way mark by week's end. Blue mold continued to be a problem in Connecticut broadleaf tobacco fields, and over- ripening of the crop was reported in Massachusetts. -- Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report -- FRUIT: Peaches, plums and apples were harvested last week, and growers just began picking pears. Highbush blueberries, wild blueberries and raspberries were also harvested. Highbush blueberries continued to fare poorly in Maine, while in other areas the crop was rated in good to fair condition. Maine wild blueberry quality decreased slightly due to the previous weeks' hot, damp conditions. Cranberry growers in Massachusetts prepared for the upcoming harvest and continued to spray for disease and insects. Monitoring, mowing and pruning continued throughout the week. VEGETABLES: Growers harvested beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, greens, lettuce, peas, peppers, radishes, snap beans, summer squash, tomatoes and other vegetables last week. Favorable weather gave growers the chance to catch up to normal progress with sweet corn harvest; crop harvest passed the half-way mark last week. Demand was high for fresh vegetables at markets. -- Crop Progress Tables -- FIELD CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ------------------------------------------------------- -- % Harvested -- Crop 2003 2002 5-yr Avg Condition ------------------------------------------------------- Barley, ME 30 15 30 Good/Fair Oats, ME 20 10 20 Good/Fair Potatoes Maine -- 5 5 Good/Excellent Mass 20 30 30 Good Rhode Isl 20 40 35 Good/Excellent Silage Corn -- -- -- Good/Excellent Sweet Corn 60 55 60 Good Tobacco Shade 60 90 90 Fair/Good Broadleaf 65 85 80 Fair/Good Dry Hay First Cut 99 99 99 Good/Fair Second Cut 70 85 80 Good/Fair Third Cut 20 45 30 Good/Excellent --------------------------------------------------------- FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND -------------------------------------------------------- -- % Harvested -- Crop 2003 2002 5-yr Avg Condition -------------------------------------------------------- Apples 5 10 10 Good/Fair Peaches 40 75 65 Good/Fair Pears 5 10 10 Good/Fair Blueberries Highbush 80 90 85 Good/Fair Wild, ME 75 85 80 Fair Cranberries,MA -- -- -- Good/Fair -------------------------------------------------------- -- Weather Summary -- For the week ending Sunday, August 24, 2003 -------------------------------------------- AIR TEMPERATURES PRECIPITATION STATE LO HI AVG DFN LO HI ---- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- ME 39 93 68 +5 0.00 0.78 NH 24 92 68 +4 0.00 1.21 VT 32 94 68 +5 0.00 2.18 MA 42 93 71 +4 0.00 1.56 RI 47 90 73 +4 0.00 1.26 CT 45 92 72 +3 0.04 1.15 -------------------------------------------- Copyright 2003: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -- Weather Information Table -- Weather Summary For New England Agricultural Statistics Service Prepared By AWIS, Inc. For the Period: Monday August 18, 2003 To: Sunday August 24, 2003 AIR CUM SINCE MAR 1 TEMPERATURE GROWING DEGREE DAYS ----------- BASE-50F BASE-60F STATION LO HI AVG DFN TOT DFN TOT DFN ------- -- -- -- -- --- ---- --- ---- MAINE Albion 39 88 69 +2 1573 -128 658 -21 Allagash 44 83 63 +3 1144 +3 378 +79 Augusta_State_A 50 88 72 +5 1738 +91 785 +139 Bangor_Intl_Arp 47 91 72 +7 1718 +215 772 +230 Barnard 44 85 68 +5 1445 +132 566 +158 Bath 43 93 71 +5 1549 +18 646 +72 Bethel 49 86 69 +4 1547 +51 635 +109 Brassua_Dam 44 86 65 +4 1273 +179 476 +194 Brunswick_ME 45 92 72 +6 1641 +110 718 +144 Caribou_Municip 43 83 66 +4 1417 +189 559 +210 Corinna 46 87 69 +5 1587 +142 670 +183 Danforth 40 89 67 +4 1487 +80 624 +145 Dover-Foxcroft 45 84 67 +4 1297 -16 477 +69 Durham 42 89 70 +2 1527 -218 680 -51 East_Hiram 39 86 67 +3 1523 +33 622 +100 Eustis 46 83 65 +5 1224 +159 430 +173 Frenchville 43 82 65 +5 1302 +161 470 +171 Gray 51 89 73 +7 1745 +238 791 +237 Greenville_ME 44 83 67 +4 1384 +60 534 +117 Guilford 44 85 67 +4 1241 -72 457 +49 Hollis 42 89 69 +5 1611 +185 685 +204 Houlton 45 85 66 +4 1479 +197 597 +208 Kennebunkport 43 90 70 +2 1518 -320 590 -205 Livermore_Falls 39 91 69 +7 1624 +330 721 +331 Moosehead 42 85 65 +4 1230 +136 434 +152 New_Sharon 47 89 71 +8 1600 +306 703 +313 Patten 44 84 67 +5 1397 +115 538 +149 Portage 44 83 67 +6 1455 +227 585 +236 Portland_ME 46 91 72 +6 1676 +169 727 +173 Rangeley 40 83 65 +5 1241 +213 440 +202 Sebec_Lake 46 87 68 +4 1439 +115 569 +152 Vanceboro 44 84 67 +4 1438 +108 573 +147 Waterville 45 89 70 +4 1645 -56 715 +36 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 46 92 72 +6 1747 +83 787 +136 Benton 44 84 67 +4 1515 +129 602 +175 Berlin_AG 42 85 67 +4 1556 +160 629 +179 Bethlehem 40 84 66 +3 1443 +57 547 +119 Concord 43 90 72 +6 1937 +273 927 +276 Diamond_Pond 38 83 63 +4 1135 +191 369 +183 First_Conn_Lake 37 80 63 +4 1165 +221 383 +197 Greenville 47 92 69 +4 1492 -13 625 +110 Keene_AP 41 88 70 +3 1872 +19 846 +57 Lakeport 51 87 72 +7 1902 +337 904 +325 Marlow 44 89 69 +3 1427 -257 561 -89 Mount_Washingto 24 66 49 +4 226 +170 6 +6 North_Conway 51 89 70 +6 1749 +194 790 +222 Otter_Brook_Lk 43 86 69 +2 1727 -126 753 -36 Plymouth 47 86 67 +5 1516 +143 615 +181 Rochester 47 91 72 +5 1740 -30 783 +51 Weare 49 87 71 +5 1735 +51 748 +98 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 43 86 68 +4 1564 +113 638 +155 Bethel 38 87 69 +6 1752 +375 762 +324 Burlington_Intl 54 88 72 +6 2058 +273 972 +230 East_Haven 32 86 66 +5 1473 +310 561 +255 Island_Pond 40 85 66 +5 1449 +304 553 +262 Montpelier 49 83 68 +5 1554 +147 617 +163 Morrisville_AG 45 89 69 +5 1681 +280 721 +263 Mount_Mansfield 35 83 61 +7 836 +224 195 +129 Northfield 44 87 67 +5 1582 +301 636 +259 Pownal 46 86 70 +6 1619 +162 628 +144 Rochester 51 85 69 +6 1584 +207 642 +204 Rutland_AG 42 83 68 +1 1699 -138 718 -51 Sunderland 41 83 66 +0 1530 -232 569 -136 Sutton 41 85 67 +6 1457 +294 554 +248 Townshend_Lake 45 86 69 +3 1729 -11 749 +38 Union_Vill_Dam 41 90 69 +2 1715 -40 763 +45 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 47 88 71 +6 1819 +306 820 +285 Boston/Logan_In 60 93 76 +6 2146 +52 1079 +92 Greenfield 47 90 71 +3 1972 -5 910 +28 New_Bedford 50 88 72 +0 1932 -171 914 -81 Otis_AFB 54 86 73 +5 1917 +207 928 +219 Plymouth 47 88 71 +4 1866 +94 861 +105 Walpole 49 90 72 +5 2013 +203 972 +209 West_Medway 46 91 72 +4 2043 +233 988 +225 Chicopee/Westov 45 91 71 -1 2044 -215 962 -142 Worcester 49 86 71 +4 1868 +180 839 +169 Worthington 42 88 67 +3 1579 +103 624 +127 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 57 90 74 +4 2126 +132 1046 +130 Woonsocket 47 89 72 +5 1966 +186 930 +204 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 45 86 69 -3 1686 -497 685 -363 Bridgeport/Siko 55 90 75 +4 2176 +38 1088 +51 Hartford/Bradle 55 92 75 +4 2237 +62 1101 +56 Norfolk 50 88 69 +4 1644 +163 665 +161 Norwich 51 91 73 +4 2121 +105 1047 +135 Thomaston_Dam 46 91 71 +4 2037 +278 952 +248 Willimantic 47 90 72 +4 2076 +284 1004 +270 1-WEEK PRECIP 4-WEEK CUM PRECIP ------------- ----------------- TOTAL TOTAL STATION INCHES DFN DAYS INCHES DFN DAYS ------- ----- ---- --- ----- ---- --- MAINE Albion 0.00 -0.84 0 2.58 -0.79 12 Allagash 0.20 -0.74 2 3.57 -0.15 13 Augusta_State_A 0.02 -0.75 2 3.06 +0.01 15 Bangor_Intl_Arp 0.00 -0.77 0 1.62 -1.36 7 Barnard 0.00 -0.84 0 2.25 -1.00 15 Bath 0.00 -0.77 0 1.65 -1.30 10 Bethel 0.26 -0.65 1 4.41 +0.83 13 Brassua_Dam 0.05 -0.79 1 2.10 -1.32 12 Brunswick_ME 0.00 -0.77 0 2.57 -0.38 10 Caribou_Municip 0.34 -0.57 4 3.53 -0.20 16 Corinna 0.00 -0.86 0 2.81 -0.52 9 Danforth 0.03 -0.88 1 3.21 -0.50 12 Dover-Foxcroft 0.00 -0.84 0 1.75 -1.50 13 Durham 0.05 -0.65 1 4.65 +1.77 16 East_Hiram 0.21 -0.63 2 5.45 +2.03 17 Eustis 0.06 -0.71 1 3.06 -0.06 12 Frenchville 0.09 -0.85 2 3.01 -0.71 10 Gray 0.08 -0.56 1 3.67 +1.14 12 Greenville_ME 0.00 -0.84 0 1.10 -2.15 9 Guilford 0.06 -0.78 2 2.51 -0.74 15 Hollis 0.02 -0.68 1 4.66 +1.86 16 Houlton 0.04 -0.89 1 4.09 +0.40 13 Kennebunkport 0.01 -0.69 1 3.71 +0.91 16 Livermore_Falls 0.00 -0.98 0 2.93 -0.70 14 Moosehead 0.03 -0.81 1 3.30 -0.12 14 New_Sharon 0.00 -0.98 0 2.70 -0.93 13 Patten 0.11 -0.82 1 5.53 +1.84 17 Portage 0.78 -0.13 2 6.46 +2.73 14 Portland_ME 0.01 -0.63 1 2.09 -0.44 10 Rangeley 0.03 -0.88 1 2.71 -0.92 13 Sebec_Lake 0.01 -0.83 1 2.79 -0.46 13 Vanceboro 0.09 -0.68 2 3.49 +0.59 15 Waterville 0.00 -0.84 0 3.18 -0.19 11 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 0.41 -0.34 2 6.62 +3.56 18 Benton 0.00 -0.91 0 4.63 +1.04 13 Berlin_AG 0.05 -0.93 1 3.63 -0.25 9 Bethlehem 0.49 -0.54 2 4.08 -0.01 14 Concord 0.15 -0.60 2 6.83 +3.77 14 Diamond_Pond 0.13 -1.03 1 2.79 -1.82 17 First_Conn_Lake 0.17 -0.99 2 3.56 -1.05 12 Greenville 0.11 -0.80 2 5.34 +1.64 13 Keene_AP 0.13 -0.74 1 3.97 +0.43 13 Lakeport 0.81 -0.03 2 7.37 +4.01 12 Marlow 0.73 -0.11 1 10.72 +7.41 14 Mount_Washingto 0.14 -1.75 2 9.98 +2.68 18 North_Conway 0.21 -0.70 2 7.28 +3.66 15 Otter_Brook_Lk 0.48 -0.39 2 7.00 +3.46 15 Plymouth 0.11 -0.75 2 7.12 +3.53 16 Rochester 0.21 -0.56 1 4.17 +0.90 13 Weare 0.58 -0.26 1 7.21 +3.90 14 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 0.59 -0.39 3 7.47 +3.63 17 Bethel 0.01 -1.04 1 4.11 +0.00 15 Burlington_Intl 0.00 -0.91 0 2.48 -1.16 7 East_Haven 0.12 -0.94 1 4.17 -0.14 14 Island_Pond 0.01 -1.09 1 4.06 -0.34 16 Montpelier 0.05 -0.84 1 4.74 +1.30 13 Morrisville_AG 0.00 -1.10 0 3.23 -1.13 14 Mount_Mansfield 0.00 -1.72 0 5.85 -0.82 16 Northfield 0.12 -0.72 1 4.04 +0.63 13 Pownal 0.30 -0.68 2 7.46 +3.62 15 Rochester 0.25 -0.80 1 3.45 -0.66 14 Rutland_AG 0.14 -0.83 1 4.78 +0.98 14 Sunderland 2.18 +1.27 2 7.48 +4.06 15 Sutton 0.19 -0.87 2 5.11 +0.80 17 Townshend_Lake 0.63 -0.28 3 6.76 +3.20 19 Union_Vill_Dam 0.00 -0.84 0 4.72 +1.48 12 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 0.99 +0.22 3 5.77 +2.57 16 Boston/Logan_In 0.03 -0.74 1 2.89 +0.02 12 Greenfield 1.02 +0.18 3 9.53 +6.17 17 New_Bedford 0.52 -0.46 2 4.13 +0.44 17 Otis_AFB 0.69 -0.08 2 5.17 +2.17 18 Plymouth 0.04 -0.87 1 6.12 +2.65 16 Walpole 0.52 -0.39 2 5.48 +2.01 15 West_Medway 1.09 +0.18 2 4.90 +1.43 12 Chicopee/Westov 0.23 -0.59 2 4.55 +1.42 15 Worcester 0.32 -0.55 2 5.35 +1.96 16 Worthington 0.24 -0.67 2 5.99 +2.18 13 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 0.43 -0.41 2 5.95 +2.72 14 Woonsocket 0.15 -0.76 2 4.41 +0.77 15 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 1.03 +0.19 1 5.58 +2.39 14 Bridgeport/Siko 0.89 +0.19 2 5.34 +2.31 13 Hartford/Bradle 0.60 -0.24 1 5.75 +2.56 13 Norfolk 0.66 -0.39 2 5.03 +0.97 16 Norwich 0.96 +0.05 4 5.50 +1.96 15 Thomaston_Dam 0.80 -0.18 3 5.20 +1.37 15 Willimantic 0.04 -0.81 2 2.98 -0.59 14 Summary based on NWS data. DFN = Departure From Normal (Using 1961-90 Normals Period). Precipitation (rain or melted snow/ice) in inches. Precipitation Days = Days with precip of 0.01 inch or more. Air Temperatures in Degrees Fahrenheit. Copyright 2003: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. For detailed ag weather forecasts and data visit the AWIS home page at www.awis.com or call toll free at 1-888-798-9955. -- Other Agricultural Comments and News -- CONNECTICUT - Ross Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: Harvesting of vegetable crops continues although some producers are experiencing gaps in harvest which disrupts marketing. Tobacco harvest continues. Blue mold infestations are now more numerous than earlier. Apple crops are presently looking very good although spray schedules are tight. Scattered thunderstorms Friday evening left flood type rains in some towns while other towns received none. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: Picking Paula Reds and blueberries, finished Jersey Mac's. Vegetable production good (not great). Summer pruning in orchards. Crops still 7 to 10 days behind normal, busier all the time. Woodstock Fair here. Field corn has responded to heat and moisture with vigorous growth and tasseling. Haying continues with better days. Richard Meinert (Ext), CT Cooperative: Making hay and catching up with needed maintenance issues were the major activities this week. Those not putting up hay seemed to be working on fences or getting silage choppers ready for the coming corn harvest. MAINE - Marvin Hedstrom, Northern Aroostook: Potatoes and small grains: Fields are finally drying out. Growers able to maintain a regular spray schedule, a limited amount of potatoes have had the vines desiccated. Last of MH30 being applied. Small grains are being harvested. Growers are finding grain yields are lower than normal. Let's hope for dry weather as harvest approaches. Pam Hickey (Ext), Central Aroostook: Vine desiccation has started in some varieties. Good set; should be bulking. Anticipating a good yield. Broccoli harvest, grain combining. Canola is awaiting harvest - 1 to 2 weeks away. Steve London, Southern Aroostook: Potatoes and small grains: There are a few aphids, flea beetles and leaf hoppers showing up. No late blight, but some early blight. Grain and potato crops are looking good. Albert Dow (NRCS), Piscataquis: Farmers finished first cut haying and harvested much of the second cut hay. Donna Lamb (Ext), Piscataquis: Huge temperature swing last week. It was in the 90's on Friday and went down to the high 40's by Saturday night. Farmers were hoping for the drenching rain that was supposed to fall on Saturday, but none came. Rick Kersbergen (Ext), Waldo: Some heat and finally some great hay making weather. The warm temperatures helped the corn crop and the dry weather over the weekend allowed for a lot of second crop hay to be harvested. Trudy Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: The cool, dry weekend weather was a welcome relief from the heat and humidity of the past several weeks. Blueberries are winding down. Apples are ready at some roadside stands. Dr. David Yarborough (Ext), Washington: Wild blueberries: Quality variable, fruit size larger than expected, crop estimated at slightly above average. Michael Tardy (FSA), Androscoggin: Good week for haying. Early apple harvest has begun. Field corn looks good. Harvesting of sweet corn and small vegetable crops continues. High demand for fresh produce at local farmers' market. Parker Rand (FSA), Cumberland/York: Early apples are being harvested, as are hay, sweet corn and the last of the blueberries. Insects and diseases are a problem due to humidity and wetness. Drier air blew in by week's end, which should make harvest easier. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: Keep those hay wagons rollin', rollin'. Awesome drying weather. Third cut hay started. Some barley harvested. Looks like a bumper corn crop. Laura Rand (FSA), Oxford: What a great week to make hay, you know the saying... when the sun shines... The week started with hot, humid weather however, dried out very nicely at the end of the week. Sweet corn appearing everywhere on farm stands, as well as early potatoes and assorted vegetables. Silage corn appears to be tall and lush, oat crop good, and early apples are being harvested. Harvest season is fast approaching. MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: We've had the first dry weather in a month. The ground is so saturated that mowed hay takes a day longer to dry. Veggie producers are preparing for cover crops which should get a good start on moist ground. Yellow squash producers had an inconsistent harvest. There are reports of bears eating corn. Some combining of small grains and baling of straw. Paul Russell (FSA), Southeast Massachusetts: Warm, humid weather arrived in time for harvest. The first real heat wave of the season helped many crops along, however insect damage and poor pollination has greatly reduced yields. Cranberry growers are applying their final sprays and preparing for harvest. Hay producers are struggling to make hay as wet ground and humid conditions slow the drying process. Shellfish production is good, however markets continue to be soft as the southern states are shipping into the markets. David Rose (FSA), Bristol: Harvesting continues. Phytophthora crown rot is affecting peppers, squash and pumpkins. John Devine (FSA), Franklin: Another week of hot, muggy and wet weather hasn't helped field or crop conditions. Producers are reporting disease or water problems in vine crops, sweet corn, tobacco and peppers. Scattered areas of Franklin County had hail damage on Friday. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA), Hampshire/Hampden: Fewer rain showers and cooler temperatures improved field conditions some. The past high temperatures and extreme moisture amounts caused crops to mature very fast. Also, disease and insect pressure is very high because of the wet, damp conditions. All crops are still in good supply and demand is high. Some broadleaf tobacco growers reporting crop is getting over ripe. NEW HAMPSHIRE - Amy Ouellette (Ext), Belknap: Sweet corn, tomato and pepper harvests are at their peaks. Many other vegetables are also being picked. Growers have had to work hard to beat fungal diseases and weeds because of the summer's heavy rainfall. Paula Red apple harvest and fall mum sales have begun. Expect corn mazes to open around Labor Day. Pastures look very green but a few people are just getting to a second cut because of wet field conditions. Carl Majewski (Ext), Cheshire: Generally a hot, humid week, with a couple gorgeous, clear days for the weekend. Field corn looks good - maturity ranges from blister to late milk. Third cutting haylage and baleage in full swing. Lots of dry hay mowed and baled over the weekend. Farm stands still featuring a wide variety of veggies. Blueberries still doing fairly well. PYO apples has started with early varieties. Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: Hot, humid and dry week, cooling off by weekend. Mid 30's in some locales. Made for good hay drying weather as second cut hay harvest progresses. Field corn looks quite good, now at about milk stage. Sweet corn also, and is in farm stands in quantity. Warm season grasses flowering. Late season raspberries sizing up. Summer veggies in abundance, pumpkins and winter squash coloring. Black bears seem to be a problem this year. Tom Buob (Ext), Grafton: Third cut progressing. Forage quality is good to excellent. Corn looks good and continues to mature slowly. Steve Schmidt (FSA), Grafton: The week of August 17th was a good week for field work. If you didn't get your hay in, then you missed out on the weather. The corn is growing fast. Grass is looking good on the fields for third cut. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: Vegetables: Growers harvesting an array of vegetables: beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, greens, lettuce, peas, potatoes, radishes, snap beans, summer squash, sweet corn and other vegetables. High disease and insect pressure, so farmers kept busy spraying pesticides for insects and diseases. Fruit: Orchardists harvesting peaches, plums, first pears and Paula Red apples. Many highbush blueberry growers are done harvesting and raspberry harvest continues with fall bearing varieties. Orchardists busy monitoring for pests, summer pruning trees, mowing orchard floors and fixing up orchard roads. Field Crops: Second and third cut progressing as weather permits. Growth has been good to excellent. Corn looks good to excellent. David Seavey (Ext), Merrimack: Fields starting to dry out. Farmers making second cutting of hay. Excellent quality sweet corn being harvested. Orchardists are mowing and harvesting early apples. Sprays are applied for apple maggot and earworm on sweet corn. Warm season vegetables being harvested. Roadside vegetable sales are excellent. Blueberry harvest is almost over. Pam Marvin (FSA), Sullivan: Silage corn is looking great in some areas. Good color and good height. A break in the rain was welcomed this past week. Corn harvesting should begin very soon. Third cut of hay is coming along nicely as well as the fourth cutting of alfalfa haylage. Apple picking is just about to begin with early varieties. Sweet corn harvesting is winding down with a good crop this year. RHODE ISLAND - Karen Menezes (Ext), Newport: Lots of good haying weather this week, catch up time!! Harvesting sweet corn, tomatoes, squashes and summer vegetables. Spraying fungicides and top kill on early potatoes. Roadside stands are filling up with mums, vegetables and fruits. VERMONT - John St. Onge/Kim Peterson (FSA), Lamoille: Great week for fieldwork! Lots of second and third cut grass harvested. Some small grains harvested. Manure spreading kept many busy. Corn crop still on track for both early harvest and record yields. Dave Blodgett (NRCS), Orleans: A lot of nice weather last week allowed farmers to catch up on haying. Most of second crop hay harvested. Some farms are cropping third crop hay. The drier weather has made it easier to harvest hay. The ground is drying out so there are less field ruts. Corn is developing ears. Most corn looks really good. This should be a high yield year for corn. Lynette Hamilton/Perley Sparrow (FSA), Windham: Another strange week of weather in Windham County. Producers are trying to finish up second cutting of hay but third cutting is ready now. Corn is still growing with some ears in the milk stage but the dry down will be slow. Veggie farmers have started to harvest early potatoes. Sweet corn is still available with slower market demands. Dennis Kauppila (Ext), Caledonia: Another hot, sticky week. Lots of haying, corn growing well. It cooled off on Saturday night, many locations with temps in low 40's. Chris Benedict (Ext), Chittenden: Apples: Began to harvest early varieties this week. Pristine turned out great, although with some variation in maturity. THE SEASON HAS BEGUN! Heather Darby (Ext), Franklin: Nice weather allowed much field work this week. Third cut hay and haylage being made. Most corn has tasseled at this point. Some lodging from corn root worm being reported. -- Contact Information -- To receive this report every Monday evening, send an e-mail message to listserv@newsbox.usda.gov and in the body, type subscribe usda-new-eng-crop-weather Statisticians: Emily McAllister, Robin Helrich Stat Assistant: Wayne Colpitt Deputy Director: Joe Samson New England Agricultural Statistics Service National Agricultural Statistics Service United States Department of Agriculture Aubrey R. Davis, Director 22 Bridge St, 3rd Floor PO Box 1444 Concord, NH 03302-1444 Phone: (603) 224-9639 Fax: (603) 225-1434 Internet: http://www.usda.gov/nass/ E-Mail: nass.nh@nass.usda.gov ****************** end of report ***********************