State NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER Week ending date 09/12/04 Issue NH-CW3704 Volume 24, Number 21 (issued weekly on the Internet, May - October) September 13, 2004 - 4 pm -- Agricultural Summary WET WEEK For the week ending September 12, 2004, there were 5.4 days available for field work across New England. Topsoil moisture was rated 5 percent short, 69 percent adequate, 26 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 5 percent short, 73 percent adequate, 22 percent surplus. Pasture condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 53 percent good, 20 percent excellent. Remnants of hurricane Frances swept across the six-state region mid-week causing riverbanks to overflow in some locations as well as flooding of fields in other areas. Major farm activities included: desiccating potato vines; monitoring fields; applying pesticides; making hay; harvesting barley, corn silage, oats, apples, peaches, pears, shade tobacco, potatoes, sweet corn and other vegetables. SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND --------------------------------------------- -- Percent -- Soil Rating This Week Last Week Last Year --------------------------------------------- Topsoil Moisture Very Short 0 1 0 Short 5 11 21 Adequate 69 69 71 Surplus 26 19 8 Subsoil Moisture Very Short 0 0 0 Short 5 7 21 Adequate 73 78 75 Surplus 22 15 4 --------------------------------------------- -- Field Crops Report Second and third cut hay made good progress last week as farmers were busy haying in areas that received little or no rain. Silage corn harvest began last week in some local areas and is expected to be in full swing by next week. Maine potato growers continue to apply vine desiccants and are expected to start harvest of potatoes for storage next week; most potatoes had been going directly to processors. Some farmers found it difficult to harvest small grains due to the rains and humidity. Many fields were saturated though the crops remains in good to fair condition. Harvest of shade tobacco was completed and only five percent of Broadleaf tobacco is left to harvest. -- Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report FRUIT: Harvest was ongoing for apples, peaches, pears, and fall raspberries. Also, harvest of highbush blueberries was completed during the week. Pick-your-own markets are in full swing. Massachusetts cranberries are coloring extremely well and growers anticipate an excellent crop both in quantity and quality. Harvest for fresh fruit is expected to begin this week. VEGETABLES: Sweet corn harvest remained on schedule with last year and average and has been called one of the best harvest seasons in years. Fall vegetable harvest continued as farm stands have plenty of corn, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins and winter squash available. -- Crop Progress Tables FIELD CROP PROGRESS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------------- Crop 2004 2003 5-yr Avg Condition ---------------------------------------------------- -- Percent Harvested -- Barley, ME 80 75 65 Fair/Good Oats, ME 35 65 50 Fair/Good Potatoes: Maine 5 10 5 Fair/Good Mass 45 45 40 Good Rhode Isl 50 65 55 Good Silage Corn 5 5 10 Good/Excel Sweet Corn 85 85 85 Good/Excel Tobacco: Shade 100 95 95 Good Broadleaf 95 95 95 Good Dry Hay: First Cut 99 100 100 Second Cut 90 95 90 Good/Excel Third Cut 55 50 45 Good/Excel ----------------------------------------------------- FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ----------------------------------------------------- -- Percent Harvested -- Crop 2004 2003 5-yr Avg Condition ----------------------------------------------------- Apples 30 30 20 Good/Excel Peaches 95 80 75 Good/Fair Pears 35 20 20 Good Blueberries Highbush 100 95 95 Good Cranberries,MA -- <5 -- Good/Excel ----------------------------------------------------- -- Weather Summary For the week ending Sunday, September 12 2004 ---------------------------------------------- AIR TEMPERATURES PRECIPITATION STATE LO HI AVG DFN LO HI ---- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- ME 35 80 60 +2 0.41 3.25 NH 38 82 61 +3 1.12 4.52 VT 44 81 62 +4 0.67 4.39 MA 39 83 66 +3 0.00 2.54 RI 45 82 68 +4 0.16 1.37 CT 46 84 67 +3 0.60 3.05 ---------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -- Weather Information Table For the Period: Monday September 6, 2004 To: Sunday September 12, 2004 AIR CUM SINCE MAR 1 TEMPERATURE GROWING DEGREE DAYS ----------- BASE-50F BASE-60F STATION LO HI AVG DFN TOT DFN TOT DFN ------- -- -- -- -- --- ---- --- ---- MAINE Albion 42 78 60 -2 1643 -329 550 -218 Allagash 35 77 55 +0 1093 -194 261 -62 Augusta_State_A 48 75 63 +3 1854 -55 687 -41 Bangor_Intl_Arp 43 77 62 +3 1769 +26 653 +43 Barnard 40 77 59 +2 1473 -31 445 -5 Bath 43 75 61 +0 1644 -144 562 -88 Bethel 44 77 61 +2 1701 -21 559 -28 Brassua_Dam 39 76 58 +3 1228 -21 300 -10 Brunswick_ME 46 74 63 +3 1845 +57 677 +27 Caribou_Municip 40 75 59 +4 1367 -18 424 +46 Corinna 46 77 62 +5 1670 +20 572 +36 Danforth 43 75 59 +2 1374 -230 385 -139 Dover-Foxcroft 42 73 60 +3 1387 -117 406 -44 Durham 44 75 60 -3 1650 -379 544 -279 East_Hiram 42 76 61 +2 1601 -113 501 -80 Eustis 39 77 57 +3 1147 -65 256 -27 Frenchville 42 74 57 +3 1255 -32 358 +35 Gray 51 76 63 +2 1913 +150 725 +98 Greenville_ME 47 79 62 +6 1777 +262 658 +197 Guilford 38 75 57 -1 1182 -322 282 -168 Hollis 45 77 60 +2 1704 +62 583 +53 Houlton 38 75 61 +6 1419 -28 467 +43 Kennebunkport 43 78 60 -4 1537 -612 470 -437 Livermore_Falls 41 80 61 +5 1766 +290 644 +216 Moosehead 40 79 58 +3 1224 -25 292 -18 New_Sharon 44 78 61 +4 1611 +135 506 +78 Patten 42 74 59 +4 1318 -129 357 -67 Portage 39 76 57 +3 1330 -55 394 +16 Portland_ME 45 73 62 +2 1819 +56 684 +57 Rangeley 43 77 58 +3 1258 +81 301 +37 Sebec_Lake 39 77 59 +2 1481 -34 455 -6 Vanceboro 42 75 60 +2 1401 -133 408 -66 Waterville 47 76 62 +0 1749 -223 626 -142 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 40 80 61 +0 1775 -140 638 -88 Benton 47 75 61 +4 1618 +38 508 +36 Berlin_AG 47 79 60 +3 1635 +45 526 +32 Bethlehem 39 77 58 +0 1481 -98 444 -28 Concord 45 82 64 +4 2203 +288 934 +208 Diamond_Pond 42 71 56 +3 1057 -10 199 -6 First_Conn_Lake 43 74 57 +4 1111 +44 236 +31 Greenville 45 82 65 +6 2195 +462 924 +349 Keene_AP 46 81 64 +2 2078 -61 815 -73 Lakeport 49 81 64 +5 2088 +298 854 +216 Marlow 43 76 59 -3 1458 -483 403 -326 Mount_Washingto 38 59 49 +8 142 +81 2 +2 North_Conway 45 77 62 +3 1881 +103 707 +80 Otter_Brook_Lk 47 79 63 +1 1955 -184 727 -161 Plymouth 45 80 61 +4 1636 +71 511 +36 Rochester 44 79 61 -2 1944 -106 761 -67 Weare 47 79 63 +2 1918 -23 710 -19 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 44 78 60 +1 1707 +37 537 -3 Bethel 46 81 62 +4 1784 +197 627 +135 Burlington_Intl 50 78 65 +5 2160 +118 915 +92 East_Haven 44 79 61 +6 1531 +212 483 +148 Island_Pond 46 75 62 +6 1487 +181 445 +123 Montpelier 47 77 62 +5 1785 +179 635 +133 Morrisville_AG 47 78 61 +4 1582 -20 531 +24 Mount_Mansfield 44 64 55 +4 727 +38 74 +8 Northfield 49 78 63 +6 1692 +229 570 +154 Pownal 49 79 64 +5 1886 +210 646 +105 Rochester 50 77 62 +4 1779 +192 615 +123 Rutland_AG 49 79 63 +2 1872 -243 671 -194 Sunderland 47 81 63 +2 1737 -290 563 -227 Sutton 46 74 59 +4 1467 +148 420 +85 Townshend_Lake 50 79 63 +2 1914 -94 683 -116 Union_Vill_Dam 47 81 63 +2 1846 -178 686 -120 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 47 80 63 +4 2061 +324 810 +219 Boston/Logan_In 53 83 67 +1 2496 +37 1184 +37 Greenfield 50 81 65 +2 2228 -65 930 -72 New_Bedford 46 82 67 +0 2266 -221 980 -192 Otis_AFB 50 82 67 +4 2187 +164 953 +130 Plymouth 46 81 67 +3 2187 +106 951 +85 Walpole 46 81 65 +3 2351 +252 1043 +182 West_Medway 43 81 65 +3 2357 +258 1043 +182 Chicopee/Westov 46 81 66 -2 2495 -132 1138 -130 Worcester 50 78 65 +3 2224 +265 929 +174 Worthington 44 77 61 +2 1810 +102 611 +50 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 50 82 69 +4 2534 +188 1188 +125 Woonsocket 45 81 66 +4 2316 +250 1016 +194 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 46 78 63 -4 1986 -538 724 -465 Bridgeport/Siko 56 83 70 +3 2710 +183 1337 +116 Hartford/Bradle 49 84 68 +3 2645 +127 1272 +87 Norfolk 47 75 62 +3 1959 +249 715 +153 Norwich 49 82 67 +3 2515 +162 1166 +119 Thomaston_Dam 48 82 66 +3 2489 +443 1128 +325 Willimantic 50 80 67 +5 2388 +301 1051 +214 1-WEEK PRECIP 4-WEEK CUM PRECIP ------------- ----------------- TOTAL TOTAL STATION INCHES DFN DAYS INCHES DFN DAYS ------- ----- ---- --- ----- ---- --- MAINE Albion 1.01 +0.24 3 3.95 +0.72 12 Allagash 2.50 +1.60 3 3.60 -0.07 9 Augusta_State_A 1.15 +0.45 2 4.47 +1.58 12 Bangor_Intl_Arp 1.15 +0.31 3 3.65 +0.49 13 Barnard 1.55 +0.64 3 3.15 -0.37 12 Bath 1.58 +0.88 2 4.84 +1.92 8 Bethel 1.74 +0.97 2 4.62 +1.19 11 Brassua_Dam 1.30 +0.42 4 3.52 +0.12 12 Brunswick_ME 1.97 +1.27 2 4.08 +1.16 7 Caribou_Municip 1.81 +0.97 3 4.24 +0.73 12 Corinna 1.31 +0.46 2 3.66 +0.14 8 Danforth 2.20 +1.35 4 5.17 +1.59 13 Dover-Foxcroft 1.75 +0.84 3 2.61 -0.91 9 Durham 1.80 +1.10 3 4.07 +1.27 10 East_Hiram 1.76 +1.04 2 3.65 +0.49 8 Eustis 1.92 +1.19 3 4.21 +1.18 11 Frenchville 3.25 +2.35 3 5.14 +1.47 11 Gray 1.52 +0.82 2 3.94 +1.21 9 Greenville_ME 1.55 +0.64 3 6.89 +3.37 14 Guilford 1.44 +0.53 3 3.88 +0.36 12 Hollis 2.15 +1.38 3 4.66 +1.75 9 Houlton 1.88 +1.01 4 5.65 +2.02 13 Kennebunkport 2.02 +1.32 4 6.43 +3.61 12 Livermore_Falls 1.21 +0.37 3 4.35 +0.71 11 Moosehead 1.19 +0.31 4 2.74 -0.66 12 New_Sharon 1.29 +0.45 3 3.97 +0.33 11 Patten 2.17 +1.30 4 5.46 +1.83 14 Portage 2.18 +1.34 3 4.26 +0.75 13 Portland_ME 1.29 +0.59 2 3.74 +1.01 7 Rangeley 1.72 +0.97 3 4.28 +0.91 12 Sebec_Lake 1.43 +0.52 3 2.59 -0.93 9 Vanceboro 1.77 +0.86 4 4.80 +1.42 14 Waterville 2.21 +1.44 3 5.61 +2.38 12 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 1.81 +1.14 2 5.93 +3.10 10 Benton 1.12 +0.35 2 5.28 +1.88 11 Berlin_AG 1.36 +0.57 2 3.74 +0.16 11 Bethlehem 1.34 +0.56 3 5.92 +2.26 13 Concord 1.97 +1.30 2 5.04 +2.21 8 Diamond_Pond 1.91 +0.93 4 6.12 +1.80 13 First_Conn_Lake 1.74 +0.76 4 7.35 +3.03 13 Greenville 2.18 +1.43 2 4.48 +1.15 6 Keene_AP 1.78 +1.07 3 3.53 +0.34 9 Lakeport 1.45 +0.75 2 3.43 +0.35 8 Marlow 1.83 +1.06 2 5.12 +1.87 9 Mount_Washingto 4.52 +2.73 3 9.92 +2.49 14 North_Conway 2.48 +1.67 4 3.82 +0.36 13 Otter_Brook_Lk 2.20 +1.49 2 4.77 +1.58 10 Plymouth 1.78 +1.04 2 3.46 +0.25 10 Rochester 2.49 +1.78 2 5.69 +2.66 8 Weare 2.30 +1.53 3 6.47 +3.22 11 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 2.82 +1.91 2 5.38 +1.59 11 Bethel 1.85 +0.94 2 4.65 +0.69 10 Burlington_Intl 1.92 +1.11 3 7.16 +3.68 12 East_Haven 1.57 +0.74 4 5.56 +1.72 14 Island_Pond 2.58 +1.75 4 6.41 +2.51 14 Montpelier 1.65 +0.95 4 5.01 +1.81 16 Morrisville_AG 1.53 +0.67 4 4.62 +0.66 13 Mount_Mansfield 4.39 +2.88 3 11.21 +4.69 12 Northfield 1.05 +0.28 2 4.54 +1.29 10 Pownal 1.26 +0.35 2 5.19 +1.40 10 Rochester 2.20 +1.29 2 5.77 +1.81 11 Rutland_AG 1.80 +0.93 2 4.62 +0.95 11 Sunderland 1.11 +0.27 3 5.42 +1.86 12 Sutton 2.13 +1.30 4 6.01 +2.17 15 Townshend_Lake 2.83 +2.05 2 7.29 +3.87 13 Union_Vill_Dam 1.47 +0.70 3 4.16 +0.95 11 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 2.47 +1.77 3 6.79 +3.86 13 Boston/Logan_In 1.87 +1.17 3 3.81 +0.81 8 Greenfield 2.11 +1.28 2 4.11 +0.81 9 New_Bedford 0.00 -0.82 0 2.04 -1.60 4 Otis_AFB 0.05 -0.72 1 4.00 +0.90 6 Plymouth 0.10 -0.88 3 2.21 -1.63 8 Walpole 1.11 +0.22 3 3.51 -0.11 9 West_Medway 0.91 +0.02 3 2.80 -0.82 8 Chicopee/Westov 1.73 +0.89 3 3.86 +0.53 9 Worcester 2.20 +1.29 3 5.59 +2.00 9 Worthington 2.54 +1.69 2 5.44 +1.86 10 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 0.72 -0.12 3 1.95 -1.41 8 Woonsocket 1.37 +0.46 3 3.69 +0.05 9 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 3.05 +2.14 4 5.75 +2.22 11 Bridgeport/Siko 1.38 +0.62 3 3.14 +0.28 8 Hartford/Bradle 2.20 +1.29 3 3.67 +0.14 11 Norfolk 2.71 +1.73 2 5.29 +1.19 9 Norwich 2.57 +1.66 3 5.14 +1.50 11 Thomaston_Dam 1.75 +0.78 4 4.75 +0.84 10 Willimantic 1.79 +0.88 3 3.44 -0.13 10 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 2004: 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- Howard Rood (FSA), Fairfield/Litchfield: Field corn harvest is underway and the crop is excellent. Ross Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: Corn silage harvest started in Ellington/Somers area. Broadleaf tobacco harvest winding down with most finished. Firing of sheds done sparingly with propane at $1.35/gal. or more. Pumpkin harvest in full swing, there are questions if the crop will keep or break down. A lot of hay knocked down on Friday and Saturday. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: Two days of rain slowed a good start on corn chopping. Corn production much better than last year. Haying, fruit and vegetable picking continues. Karen Vozarik (FSA), New Haven: Rains were heavy at times with high humidity. Pumpkins are beginning to show at farm stands. Peaches still being harvested along with tomatoes and other summer vegetables. MAINE - Marvin Hedstrom, Northern Aroostook: Potatoes and small grains: Next week should see most growers in the fields harvesting potatoes for storage. Previously, most potatoes harvested have gone directly to the processor. Growers are continuing to apply vine desiccants. Still a struggle to harvest small grains due to rain and humidity. Heavy rains have saturated many fields. Steve London, Southern Aroostook: Potatoes and small grains: Waiting for good weather for harvesting and vine killing. Albert Dow (NRCS), Piscataquis: Farmers have been killing potato tops and harvesting grain. Roadside stands are teeming with produce and with buyers. Rick Kersbergen (Ext), Waldo: Heavy rains keep fields wet and waterlogged. Some traditionally wet ground still has some first cutting hay that probably will not be harvested this year. Some corn being harvested, but limited acreage. Apple harvest is gearing up. Trudy Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: Fresh vegetables are still available and corn is still plentiful. Haying continues now that the weather has improved. We had a perfect weekend for outside activities. Another soaker on Thursday from hurricane Frances. Michael Tardy (FSA), Androscoggin: Fall is fast approaching. Some producers have started harvesting silage corn; many are talking about starting next week. Apple producers are picking or have their orchards ready for the "pick your own" crowd. Pumpkins, squash and corn stalks are showing up at the farm stands. Harvest season has begun. Sandy Truslow (FSA), Cumberland/York: September has supplied the area with the best weather of the summer. Sweet corn and summer crops are still plentiful. Hay that should have been cut much earlier is getting harvested. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: Small grain harvest has been completed. Yield and quality is average to above average. Corn is progressing but there is a chance of frost on the way. The apple and highbush blueberry crops turned out to be much better than expected. Laura Rand (FSA), Oxford: A great week for getting work done! Producers are busy getting in hay, harvesting vegetables, and getting ready to cut silage corn. Silage corn took a big boost last week and is beginning to look like a real crop. Potato growers are harvesting. Again, cool nights and warm, sunny days. MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: Not much haying this week, no drying conditions. Field corn drying but only a few fields are denting. Sweet corn in surplus is ready. There was one day with one to two inches of rain, varying county wide; some areas received none. There were windy conditions that day as the remnant of Frances passed through the area in a muggy and tropical stroll through the county. Pick your own markets are going strong. Fall vegetables are beautiful. One producer reported damage to blueberries from migrating bluebirds of all things. Paul Russell (FSA), Southeast Massachusetts: Cranberry growers prepare to start harvest as the fruit starts to color. All indications are for a excellent crop both in quantity and quality. Vegetable growers are winding down their harvest; vine crops are affected by blight but in general conditions remain good. Sweet corn growers are wrapping up one of the best harvest seasons in history. Field corn is starting to dry down as the weather cools, generally field corn is excellent. Hay growers are harvesting their third cut, heavy dew made it hard to dry but yields are good to excellent. Frank Caruso (Ext), Plymouth: Cranberries: The area received no rain from the remnants of Frances. Consequently, growers have been on a regular irrigation schedule. Berries are coloring extremely well so far. Size is better than average. Fruit rot has been minimal so far. The first harvesting (for fresh fruit) will begin this week. David Rose (FSA), Bristol: Weather has been cooler and dry. Still good weather for making hay. Apple picking is under way. Fall is just around the corner. John Devine (FSA), Franklin: After a rainy and wet start, this week ended on a beautiful note. Lots of hay was cut over the weekend and the silage harvest is getting started. Most corn fields look like they're going to have record yields. Fall cleanup and rye seeding has kept many vegetable farmers busy this week. Air-cured tobacco looks very good and should be ready soon. County fairs, balloon festivals, and apple picking kept the roads busy in Franklin County. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA), Hampshire/Hampden: This week's weather brought a few rainy days, a few hot and humid days, and a few cool, dry, fall-weather days. Harvesting potatoes, pumpkins, peppers, winter squash, apples and many more fall crops. Over all crops look good. Tobacco harvest finished and the blueberry crop is coming to an end. Gary Guida, Worcester: Just a beautiful New England weekend, but what a week! Heavy rains and wind! Appears storm brought more insect problems in sweet corn. Borer, army worm infestation running from three percent in some corn to 50 percent in others depending on the stage of maturity. Corn growers have to grade each ear otherwise they risk losing customers. Fall squash and apple harvest continues, summer crops still coming on strong but yields starting to weaken. Pumpkins appearing at farm stands along with other fall decorating items. Outstanding consumer response at stands. NEW HAMPSHIRE - Amy Ouellette (Ext), Belknap: It must be fall because the apples, pumpkins and winter squash harvests are taking priority. We are finishing up the Paula red harvest and working on early McIntosh and Cortland. In the pastures, recent rain watered in freshly applied limestone and fertilizer. Pastures are quite green and lush. Garden centers are selling mums, pumpkins and corn stalks. Tina Savage (Ext), Carroll: Drier weather continues to allow for haying, some excellent second and third cut going in. Vegetables finally got started and are now winding down. Sweet corn still in good shape. It's beginning to look like fall and I don't remember having a summer! Carl Majewski (Ext), Cheshire: A couple of rainy days, but lots of sunshine for most of the week. Early-planted field corn is ready for chopping, and a few farms have begun filling bunkers. Some farms finishing up third cutting haylage, while others are still pecking away at third cut for baleage and dry hay. Farm stands still have lots of corn, tomatoes, and peppers available, and winter squashes and pumpkins are starting to appear. PYO apples in full swing. Garden centers selling lots of mums and asters. Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: Generally sunny with some rain mid-week to hinder haying activities. No reports of frost yet although, beginning to see some fall color at higher elevations. Corn looks generally good, nice tip fill on those checked however, need more maturity to be fit for silage - no dent yet. Mums and fall asters now being bought at garden centers and nurseries. Sweet corn, pumpkins and other late season veggies available. Few apples - not a good year for them up here. Seems a year for fungal diseases. Powdery mildew knocking down vines on squash and pumpkins quite effectively. Some fields quite saturated, especially in low areas along Connecticut River, hope these will be dry by corn harvesting time. Tom Buob (Ext), Grafton: Heavy rains delayed field work for much of the second half of the week. Corn continues to grow slowly. Regrowth after third cut on alfalfa grass looks good to excellent. Steve Schmidt (FSA), Grafton: This past week we had some nice weather, and things had a chance to dry out earlier in the week. However, on Wednesday and Thursday, things got wet again. We received a total of 1.65 inches of rain over a two day period. Temperatures have been a little cooler than we would like, but the corn is still maturing. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: Vegetables: Harvesting an array of vegetables: beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, greens, potatoes, radishes, summer squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, zucchini, and other vegetables. Some farmers are starting to clean up harvested fields and planting cover crops. Mildew has killed most vines on pumpkins and winter squash, farmers are cutting and picking up pumpkins and winter squash to help stop fruit from rotting. Fruit: Orchardists harvesting Marshall, McIntosh, Ginger Gold, Gala and Honeycrisp apples, peaches, and fall raspberries. Identified yellow rust disease on fall raspberries. Field Crops: Farmers are chopping corn silage and hay cutting continued during the week with the second and third cuttings being made. Some spreading of manure on hay fields. John Porter (Ext), Merrimack: Apple stands were busy this weekend with pickers and other customers. Markets have sweet corn, pumpkins, mums and squashes. Mix of rain and sun was great for hay fields. Pam Marvin (FSA), Sullivan: Hard rains last week slowed down the harvesting of silage corn. Reports of a less than average apple crop due to spring weather at budding time. Blueberry season is over with some reports of mummyberry. Alfalfa re-seeding has been completed and is coming up nicely. Farm stands and farmers' markets are still strong with many summer vegetables still being harvested. VERMONT - John St. Onge/Kim Peterson (FSA), Lamoille: Somewhat drier week but not hot enough to soak up all the excess moisture from recent rains. The local barley harvest was finally completed. The corn crop appears to be maturing slower than normal with a few producers starting to harvest a few acres. Soybeans are doing well and are starting to dry down. Pumpkin harvest has begun. Dave Blodgett (NRCS), Orleans: Fair weather this week allowed some harvest of third crop and also fields to dry out a little. Most of the hay left to be harvested is on extremely wet fields. Quantity of third crop is good but I am hearing that the quality is down. Corn growers are nervous about their crop maturing in time. The tonnage looks to be fairly good but the ear size and maturity are behind. Growers are hoping that the frost holds off for a couple more weeks. Perley Sparrow (FSA), Windham: Corn silage harvest will be in full swing this week. Some producers are reporting crop loss from bears. Apple harvest is starting to speed up with the cooler nights. The color is almost perfect but producers are reporting that apples bruise easily from a wet growing season. Jeff Carter (Ext), Addison: Starting to open corn fields for silage harvest. Still just dented and too wet for harvest. Third cut haylage harvest active; good quality. Pasture regrowth slowed right down for fall. Lots of rust on grass leaves. Some manure spread on hay fields. Dennis Kauppila (Ext), Caledonia: Another inch-and-a-half of rain this week. Steady rain with no wash outs, but it did make the ground even softer. Grass continues to grow well, no frost yet. Chris Benedict (Ext), Chittenden: Growers have moved into heavy harvest time, with good picking conditions over the weekend. Sherwin Williams, Rutland: Seeding rye on fields that have been picked. Still picking a good crop of mid-season sweet corn. Starting to pick winter squash and pumpkins. All crops could stand some sun and warm weather to help with maturing. Received an inch of rain from the hurricane; the land had just started to dry out. Fall season starting with Indian corn, pumpkins, gourds and corn stalks in the market. Reporters are from: Extension Service (Ext), Farm Service Agency(FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), or other knowledgeable individuals. -- Contact Information To receive this report, send an e-mail message to listserv@newsbox.usda.gov and in the body, type subscribe usda-new-eng-crop-weather Statistician: Dianne Johnson 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 ***********************