State NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER Week ending date 9/18/05 Issue NH-CW3704 Volume 25, Number 21 (issued weekly on the Internet, May - October) September 19, 2005 - 4 pm -- Agricultural Summary-- RAINS CAME BUT NOT SOON ENOUGH GENERAL CONDITIONS: For the week ending September 18, 2005, there were 5.5 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 6% very short, 28% short, 65% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 7% very short, 25% short, 67% adequate, and 1% surplus. Pasture condition was rated 6% very poor, 23% poor, 35% fair, 33% good, and 3% excellent. The first signs of fall came to Northern New England this week with leaves beginning to turn color and drop; however, several reporters noted that there has not yet been a major frost in the region. The week began with unseasonably warm temperatures and high humidity across the region. By Wednesday, cooler weather arrived, but humid conditions led to foggy mornings for the remainder of the week. Showers and thunderstorms spread across the region slowing field work as the remnants of Ophelia interacted with a cold front from the west. Farmers welcomed the wet weather for pasture and hay fields as it replenished the moisture; however, many found the rain came too late to help with most crops. Areas of Massachusetts reported field flooding and washouts. At the end of the week, the sun began to peek through the clouds again. Farm stands, where a wide variety of vegetables were available, have switched to fall sales. Major farm activities included weeding, monitoring crops for pests and disease, spraying fungicides and pesticides, spreading manure, baling hay, chopping grass and corn silage, and harvesting a variety of fruits and vegetables. SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND --------------------------------------------- Soil Rating This Week Last Week Last Year -- Percent -- Very Short 6 12 0 Short 28 35 3 Adequate 65 52 67 Surplus 1 1 30 Subsoil Moisture Very Short 7 10 0 Short 25 26 3 Adequate 67 63 70 Surplus 1 1 27 --------------------------------------------- -- Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report FRUIT: Apple harvest was in full swing with Macs, Honeycrisp, and Gala the main varieties ready to pick. Some growers reported lesser crops of smaller fruit, but were optimistic that this week's rains could help somewhat. Some fruit drop was observed with the heavy rain showers. Apples that dropped had low seed count, an indication of poor pollination from the spring. Connecticut tree fruit continued to suffer from prolonged lack of moisture. Growers reported apple and pear sizes below average to average in Connecticut, while the same fruits in the other New England states were reported as average in size. Fall raspberries and pear harvest continued while peach and plum harvest began to wind up. Heavy rains in the Cape Cod region caused flooding in several cranberry beds for a short period. Planks were pulled to allow for drainage. While the rain came too late to help with the size of some cranberry varieties, it did provide a needed boost to reservoir levels. Cranberry harvest started this past week with fruit quality reported as very good. VEGETABLES: Growers spent the week harvesting a wide array of fall vegetable crops including cole crops, melons, winter squash, and pumpkins. Picking of summer produce continued, but with exception of tomatoes and corn, harvest of summer crops was nearly complete. Sweet corn ears were reported dry at the tip; corn picked for the weekend looked good. Heavy rain towards the end of the week brought high numbers of corn earworm moth. Sweet corn growers were encouraged to keep checking their late sweet corn plantings for damage. Farmers cleaned up harvested fields, stored irrigation equipment and planted cover crops. FIELD CROPS: Drier conditions earlier in the week led farmers to start harvesting and chopping silage corn this week, although some growers reported that rain later in the week caused some problems with mud. Farmers continued to cut hay during the week, with the second and third cuttings being made. Growers felt that the week's wet weather would be beneficial to hay growth, but the rains came too late for any benefit to the corn crop. Corn yields varied across the region, but reporters appeared encouraged given the late spring start. Cover crops were being planted in harvested fields. Growers also sprayed for Fall Army Worms and European Corn Borer. Vine desiccation began on potato fields in Maine; farmers were busy digging potatoes in Maine and Vermont. Shade tobacco producers were shredding stalks as harvest was complete. -- Crop Progress Tables FIELD CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------------- Crop 2005 2004 5-yr Avg Condition ---------------------------------------------------- -- Percent Harvested -- Barley, ME 85 80 80 Good Oats, ME 85 50 70 Good/Excellent Potatoes Maine 10 15 15 Good Mass. 50 55 50 Good Rhode Isl. 75 80 75 Fair/Good Sweet Corn 90 90 90 Good/Fair Field Corn 25 15 20 Good/Excellent Tobacco Broadleaf 100 99 99 Good/Fair Shade 99 100 100 Good Dry hay, 2nd cut 90 95 95 Good Dry hay, 3rd cut 60 60 65 Good ---------------------------------------------------- FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ----------------------------------------------------- --Percent Harvested-- Crop 2005 2004 5-yr Fruit Condition Avg Size ----------------------------------------------------- Apples 35 40 40 Avg/B. Avg Good/Fair Peaches 95 95 90 Avg/B. Avg Good/Fair Pears 45 50 40 Avg/B. Avg Fair Blueberries Highbush 100 100 99 Avg/A. Avg Good/Excel Cranberries, MA - - <5 Avg/B. Avg Good ----------------------------------------------------- -- Weather Summary For the Period: Monday September 12, 2005 To: Sunday September 18, 2005 AIR TEMPERATURES PRECIPITATION STATE LO HI AVG DFN LO HI -- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- ME 33 88 63 +7 0.31 2.19 NH 32 90 66 +10 0.23 2.40 VT 35 88 68 +11 0.19 2.09 MA 40 92 70 +9 0.16 5.06 RI 57 91 72 +9 1.45 2.92 CT 40 92 72 +10 0.67 2.68 ------------------------------------------- Copyright 2005: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -- Weather Information Table For the Period: Monday September 12, 2005 To: Sunday September 18, 2005 AIR CUM SINCE MAR 1 TEMPERATURE GROWING DEGREE DAYS ----------- BASE-50F BASE-60F STATION LO HI AVG DFN TOT DFN TOT DFN ------- -- -- -- -- --- ---- --- ---- MAINE Albion 36 82 64 +4 1843 -177 780 +2 Allagash 33 83 57 +5 1409 +103 474 +151 Augusta_State_A 55 85 66 +7 2117 +163 994 +257 Bangor_Intl_Arp 50 84 65 +7 2074 +290 929 +313 Barnard 43 81 62 +7 1743 +211 685 +233 Bath 45 84 65 +6 1838 +5 760 +104 Bethel 39 83 65 +8 1909 +149 803 +211 Brassua_Dam 38 78 61 +8 1539 +268 557 +247 Brunswick_ME 58 87 66 +8 1964 +131 885 +229 Caribou_Municip 41 74 61 +8 1706 +300 664 +286 Corinna 52 84 64 +9 1903 +220 809 +269 Danforth 45 79 61 +6 1690 +57 647 +122 Dover-Foxcroft 48 77 61 +6 1616 +84 580 +128 Durham 42 82 65 +5 1868 -213 785 -47 East_Hiram 39 81 65 +9 1871 +119 784 +198 Eustis 34 82 60 +8 1465 +232 498 +215 Frenchville 46 80 61 +9 1689 +383 662 +339 Gray 52 83 67 +8 2143 +336 1021 +388 Greenville_ME 51 75 62 +7 1694 +150 659 +196 Guilford 42 81 63 +8 1743 +211 709 +257 Hollis 38 87 66 +10 1941 +264 855 +323 Houlton 39 77 62 +9 1710 +241 675 +251 Kennebunkport 46 85 65 +3 1777 -430 718 -203 Livermore_Falls 36 85 64 +9 1946 +443 864 +435 Moosehead 38 78 61 +8 1497 +226 512 +202 New_Sharon 40 81 64 +9 1911 +408 837 +408 Patten 44 78 60 +7 1605 +136 588 +164 Portage 42 76 60 +6 1671 +265 638 +260 Portland_ME 59 88 68 +9 2098 +291 981 +348 Rangeley 43 83 63 +9 1552 +353 551 +287 Sebec_Lake 41 80 62 +7 1716 +172 660 +197 Vanceboro 45 79 61 +6 1670 +104 626 +148 Waterville 44 84 65 +5 1993 -27 894 +116 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 43 86 66 +8 2018 +60 909 +176 Benton 40 84 66 +10 1886 +274 787 +311 Berlin_AG 39 84 65 +10 1902 +281 797 +300 Bethlehem 35 86 65 +10 1891 +281 793 +317 Concord 48 89 70 +11 2367 +409 1168 +435 Diamond_Pond 40 78 61 +10 1429 +346 478 +273 First_Conn_Lake 32 80 60 +9 1402 +319 452 +247 Greenville 40 89 69 +12 2441 +669 1235 +655 Keene_AP 46 88 70 +10 2364 +172 1158 +259 Lakeport 46 89 70 +13 2376 +548 1183 +540 Marlow 37 89 67 +8 2105 +118 963 +225 Mount_Washingto 43 60 52 +12 368 +307 15 +15 North_Conway 46 84 66 +9 2097 +282 956 +324 Otter_Brook_Lk 40 85 67 +7 2185 -7 1010 +111 Plymouth 36 83 65 +10 1939 +345 830 +353 Rochester 45 86 68 +8 2176 +75 1026 +188 Weare 43 83 66 +8 2176 +189 1016 +278 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 43 84 66 +9 1973 +265 846 +301 Bethel 39 87 69 +12 2090 +467 945 +448 Burlington_Intl 58 87 71 +13 2539 +454 1299 +467 East_Haven 40 86 66 +13 1879 +537 781 +444 Island_Pond 39 83 65 +11 1826 +496 752 +427 Montpelier 53 85 69 +12 2154 +515 986 +479 Morrisville_AG 41 85 66 +10 1862 +227 779 +267 Mount_Mansfield 47 73 61 +12 1146 +447 267 +201 Northfield 41 87 67 +12 1994 +502 864 +443 Pownal 44 85 67 +10 2170 +456 964 +418 Rochester 36 87 68 +11 2090 +467 942 +445 Rutland_AG 46 88 69 +9 2262 +96 1084 +208 Sunderland 35 86 66 +7 2174 +99 996 +196 Sutton 38 82 65 +11 1816 +474 741 +404 Townshend_Lake 43 87 69 +9 2247 +191 1061 +252 Union_Vill_Dam 36 87 68 +9 2061 -11 925 +109 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 46 86 69 +11 2298 +523 1097 +501 Boston/Logan_In 62 91 71 +7 2639 +107 1411 +240 Greenfield 42 86 70 +8 2424 +69 1193 +175 New_Bedford 59 89 71 +6 2407 -158 1189 -11 Otis_AFB 61 82 71 +9 2597 +513 1327 +489 Plymouth 60 88 71 +10 2385 +246 1216 +337 Walpole 47 91 70 +10 2586 +434 1343 +471 West_Medway 50 87 70 +9 2430 +278 1213 +341 Chicopee/Westov 52 90 72 +7 2743 +43 1427 +135 Worcester 59 87 70 +11 2495 +487 1262 +497 Worthington 40 87 68 +10 2109 +359 931 +364 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 63 91 73 +9 2815 +399 1530 +445 Woonsocket 57 87 71 +10 2575 +456 1316 +484 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 40 87 69 +6 2334 -256 1095 -113 Bridgeport/Siko 64 87 74 +9 2909 +303 1551 +300 Hartford/Bradle 58 91 74 +11 2923 +338 1581 +377 Norfolk 46 83 68 +10 2191 +442 984 +417 Norwich 47 92 72 +9 2722 +302 1433 +366 Thomaston_Dam 50 88 72 +11 2603 +503 1327 +511 Willimantic 54 90 73 +12 2618 +474 1326 +476 1-WEEK PRECIP 4-WEEK CUM PRECIP ------------- ----------------- TOTAL TOTAL STATION INCHES DFN DAYS INCHES DFN DAYS ------- ----- ---- --- ----- ---- --- MAINE Albion 1.92 +1.19 4 5.35 +2.21 11 Allagash 0.50 -0.35 3 3.34 -0.24 10 Augusta_State_A 1.25 +0.55 4 3.75 +0.91 12 Bangor_Intl_Arp 1.80 +0.97 4 4.42 +1.22 13 Barnard 2.05 +1.14 5 6.65 +3.08 14 Bath 1.08 +0.38 4 5.30 +2.43 10 Bethel 0.87 +0.10 4 4.61 +1.28 10 Brassua_Dam 1.19 +0.35 4 5.10 +1.70 12 Brunswick_ME 2.19 +1.49 4 5.87 +3.00 10 Caribou_Municip 1.14 +0.32 4 4.78 +1.34 10 Corinna 1.55 +0.71 4 5.23 +1.71 10 Danforth 1.54 +0.70 4 5.41 +1.88 13 Dover-Foxcroft 1.71 +0.80 3 4.00 +0.43 9 Durham 0.96 +0.26 4 2.50 -0.30 10 East_Hiram 1.30 +0.60 4 3.49 +0.43 10 Eustis 1.00 +0.30 4 5.43 +2.45 12 Frenchville 0.31 -0.54 3 4.47 +0.89 8 Gray 1.40 +0.70 3 3.39 +0.61 11 Greenville_ME 1.94 +1.03 4 6.75 +3.18 10 Guilford 2.01 +1.10 4 6.52 +2.95 13 Hollis 1.25 +0.48 2 2.24 -0.72 6 Houlton 1.83 +0.99 3 5.25 +1.70 13 Kennebunkport 1.53 +0.83 4 2.45 -0.37 8 Livermore_Falls 0.92 +0.08 4 3.11 -0.43 10 Moosehead 1.29 +0.45 4 5.66 +2.26 10 New_Sharon 1.30 +0.46 4 3.72 +0.18 12 Patten 1.54 +0.70 4 5.99 +2.44 13 Portage 0.88 +0.06 3 2.32 -1.12 8 Portland_ME 1.14 +0.44 4 2.44 -0.34 8 Rangeley 0.96 +0.26 4 4.97 +1.75 12 Sebec_Lake 2.11 +1.20 4 7.31 +3.74 13 Vanceboro 1.55 +0.64 4 5.24 +1.76 13 Waterville 1.41 +0.68 4 4.75 +1.61 13 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 1.39 +0.76 3 2.34 -0.39 8 Benton 1.01 +0.28 3 4.28 +1.02 10 Berlin_AG 1.27 +0.50 4 3.92 +0.49 11 Bethlehem 1.24 +0.52 4 4.57 +1.16 14 Concord 0.82 +0.19 4 2.18 -0.55 9 Diamond_Pond 1.10 +0.17 4 5.43 +1.31 14 First_Conn_Lake 2.40 +1.47 4 6.45 +2.33 14 Greenville 0.71 +0.01 3 1.27 -1.91 7 Keene_AP 0.23 -0.47 2 1.68 -1.37 7 Lakeport 1.53 +0.85 4 3.18 +0.22 9 Marlow 0.85 +0.08 3 3.19 -0.01 9 Mount_Washingto 1.25 -0.48 3 7.76 +0.45 11 North_Conway 1.42 +0.65 4 5.78 +2.42 10 Otter_Brook_Lk 0.94 +0.24 4 3.02 -0.03 10 Plymouth 0.68 -0.02 4 3.78 +0.70 10 Rochester 1.19 +0.47 3 2.27 -0.72 9 Weare 0.64 -0.13 3 2.59 -0.61 10 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 0.91 +0.00 4 2.48 -1.26 9 Bethel 2.09 +1.21 4 4.79 +0.96 12 Burlington_Intl 0.91 +0.14 2 4.09 +0.71 9 East_Haven 0.92 +0.14 4 5.32 +1.70 14 Island_Pond 0.79 +0.01 4 5.78 +2.13 14 Montpelier 0.71 +0.06 4 3.57 +0.57 15 Morrisville_AG 1.13 +0.32 4 4.03 +0.30 12 Mount_Mansfield 2.00 +0.56 4 6.58 +0.29 15 Northfield 0.80 +0.03 4 2.95 -0.25 9 Pownal 1.64 +0.73 2 3.40 -0.34 7 Rochester 1.50 +0.62 4 4.12 +0.29 12 Rutland_AG 2.06 +1.22 4 5.24 +1.67 11 Sunderland 0.87 +0.04 3 3.08 -0.42 10 Sutton 1.57 +0.79 4 5.36 +1.74 14 Townshend_Lake 1.23 +0.46 4 3.15 -0.17 9 Union_Vill_Dam 0.74 -0.03 2 3.63 +0.47 11 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 0.77 +0.08 4 1.53 -1.34 10 Boston/Logan_In 1.11 +0.41 2 2.01 -0.94 7 Greenfield 1.32 +0.54 3 3.48 +0.23 10 New_Bedford 2.33 +1.56 3 9.87 +6.38 8 Otis_AFB 3.62 +2.85 2 5.37 +2.27 7 Plymouth 3.26 +2.28 3 8.24 +4.35 8 Walpole 1.87 +1.03 4 4.16 +0.59 10 West_Medway 1.76 +0.92 4 3.78 +0.21 10 Chicopee/Westov 1.68 +0.84 3 3.21 -0.15 8 Worcester 1.90 +0.99 3 2.91 -0.73 8 Worthington 0.26 -0.58 3 2.43 -1.10 9 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 2.92 +2.08 3 7.17 +3.81 6 Woonsocket 1.45 +0.54 4 4.37 +0.73 9 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 1.77 +0.86 4 2.86 -0.72 9 Bridgeport/Siko 1.69 +0.96 3 2.31 -0.56 7 Hartford/Bradle 0.92 +0.01 4 2.08 -1.50 10 Norfolk 0.91 -0.07 4 2.28 -1.77 9 Norwich 2.34 +1.43 4 5.30 +1.66 10 Thomaston_Dam 1.59 +0.67 4 2.90 -0.96 10 Willimantic 0.67 -0.24 4 1.61 -2.01 7 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 2005: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. For detailed ag weather forecasts and data visit the AWIShome page at www.awis.com or call toll free at1-888-798-9955. -- Other Agricultural Comments and News CONNECTICUT - Howard Rood (FSA), Fairfield/Litchfield: With near perfect weather and dry fields farmers were busy harvesting corn for silage. Vegetable and fruit crops need rain. Ross Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: Heavy thunderstorms came through the area Thursday and Saturday bringing much needed rain, however it was too late for many crops. Field corn was being harvested as silage and shade tobacco producers were shredding stalks as harvest was complete. High fuel prices taking a toll on farmer's pocket books as at harvest time much to be consumed. Apple and pear crops are expected to be light due to the dry season. Frank Himmelstein (Ext), New London: Hay; Some much needed rains fell this week. It should produce some positive benefits for grass hay re-growth. Corn Silage; Corn continues to be chopped at a fast pace. The overall crop in the county is fair to poor depending on the field soil type. Rains came too late for any benefit to the crop. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: Hot and dry until fast and furious showers showed up on Friday and Saturday evening, too late to improve crops other than hay. Corn yields continue to vary, higher plant populations may have an effect on reduced ear size. Apples are small, there are lots of apples just takes more to fill a bushel. Pumpkins also abundant but did not size up to the better selling sizes. Mums were irrigated and look great. Fifth Celebrating Agriculture event well attended. Farmers stopped at FSA booth to talk about crops, weather, and high LDP rates. Richard Meinert (Ext), CT Cooperative: Nice weather early in the week, then Ophelia dumped inches of rain in a matter of hours. Some low lying fields flooded. The concern now is for nitrate levels in green chop harvested from drought stressed fields. Farmers need to beware of harvesting too early after the rains. MAINE - Pam Hickey (Ext), Central Aroostook: Recent shower activity has delayed some field work. Farmers are trying to continue to vine-kill potatoes. Broccoli harvest continuing. Some farmers have started to harvest potatoes. More farmers should start this week if weather permits. Steve London, Southern Aroostook: Potatoes and small grains: Farmers getting storage and equipment ready for harvest. Still applying top-kill. Potato and grain quality looks good at this time. Leslie Nelson (NRCS), Piscataquis: Farmers chopping grass, and some hay still being harvested. Corn silage estimated to be at least two weeks behind. Vine desiccation has begun on potato fields. Donald Burke (FSA), Waldo: Haying, field work on blueberry fields, and farmers markets kept everyone busy. Silage corn harvest has not begun yet. The price of fuel is going down which helps our local farmers. Showers at the end of the week from Hurricane Ophelia slowed down field work for a couple of days. Trudy Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: Fresh local apples are now at farm stands as well as melons and winter squash. Of course there is still plenty of sweet corn. Showers and overcast skies from the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia slowed down outdoor work for several days. Sandy Truslow (FSA), Cumberland/York: Significant rains have missed our area again. The soil remains dry. Apples picked so far are on the small side. Pick your own apples, corn mazes and pumpkin rides are all in full swing. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: We got some needed rain, but it interfered with pick your own apples on the weekend. Corn silage harvest is under way. The 165th Farmington Fair is happening this week! Marcia Hall (FSA), Oxford: Oxford County producers had a good week weather wise. Sweet corn still being harvested along with other vegetables. Second crop hay is being harvested. Apple and potato producers are busy harvesting their crops at this time. Laura Rand (FSA), Androscoggin: Silage corn being harvested. Fall colors showing up at farm stands including asters, pumpkins, squash, and sweet corn. Sporadic rain showers at the end of the week, however, good weather prevails and most are hoping for a long, warm fall. MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: A few hot days, others cloudy. No frost yet! Still very heavy dew in the morning. Silage corn is being cut at very high tonnage yields. Some corn is 14 foot tall. A lot of pumpkins being picked and sold at the stands/markets. Most tree fruit is a little smaller than normal. Great season for pick your own farms. Frank Caruso (Ext), Plymouth: Cranberries: Significant rainfall occurred on Thursday, with 5-6 inches in three hours in many locations, including the Cranberry Station. Several cranberry beds were flooded for a short period, as planks were pulled to allow for drainage. Effects from Ophelia were minimal, as the storm passed far to the east - rain less than an inch and minimal wind. Harvest started this past week for early incentives for Ocean Spray growers. It will continue at a slow pace until the last week of September. Fruit quality is very good so far. The rain came too late to help the size of some of the varieties, but it really helped the reservoir levels. Hard to believe, but no frost nights so far. Jason Otto (FSA), Bristol: Some heavy rains moved into the area late in the week. Heavy downpours cause field flooding and washouts in some areas. Some of the field moisture was replenished but too late in the season. John Devine (FSA), Franklin: Another beautiful week for harvesting fall crops. Lots of winter squash and pumpkins have been brought off the fields this week. Silage corn has ripened very quickly and some fields are showing signs of drought stress. Potato and onion farmers are reporting good yields on most fields. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA), Hampshire/Hampden: Overall the week was very nice with one day of a steady rainfall. This rainfall brought much needed moisture into the county. Growers are in full swing harvesting silage corn, apples, peppers, potatoes, winter squash and cabbage. Apple yields are lighter this year because of a late spring frost, a very dry summer and a warm spell in January. Gary Guida, Worcester: A very dry week finally ended on a wet note. Sweet corn ears are dry at tip; corn picked for this weekend however was absolutely "prime"! Growers spraying for fall army worm and last of European Corn Borer. Harvesting winter squash, pumpkins, and other fall related products as well as picking summer produce, but with exception of tomatoes and corn, most summer crops just about done. Fall raspberries are excellent, apple crop is good. Consumer demand for fall produce and pumpkins is just starting. Mums strong, but all of us not wanting summer to end, especially with home heating oil prices. NEW HAMPSHIRE - Amy Ouellette (Ext), Belknap: Thankfully, we got some rain this past weekend. More is needed. McIntosh and Gala apples and fall raspberries are being harvested. Many vegetables are available at farm stands, which have switched gears to fall sales. Mum crops look nice. Over seeding pastures in hopes of fall rains to water in the seed. Tina Savage (Ext), Carroll: A bit of welcome rain, could still use more. Leaves beginning to color and drop; seems a bit early. Pumpkin and mum sales going well. Apples coming in smaller than usual. Many apples showing evidence of insect and disease damage. Carl Majewski (Ext), Cheshire: Considerably warmer and more humid weather than last week, and a bit of rain towards the end of the week. The big push has begun with corn chopping. Still some third cutting hay to harvest, but weather hasn't been favorable. PYO apples continues with Macs and Cortlands. Veggies still doing well. Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: Field corn harvest begins, looks to be a good silage crop coming in. Considering late spring plantings and slow start, we have done well! Weather changing from hot humid weather at beginning of week to cooler temps, heavy rain by weekend. Some hay still coming in. Pumpkins fairly abundant at farm markets along with mums, late season veggies and early apples. Still no hard freeze reported on cropland and gardens. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: Vegetables: Harvesting wide array of summer and fall vegetable crops. Farmers are starting to cleaning up harvested fields, putting away irrigation equipment and planting cover crops. Pumpkin crop and winter squash yields vary from field to field. Very high numbers of corn earworm moth were blown in with the heavy rain showers that came through Thursday and Friday. Sweet corn growers must keep checking their late sweet corn plantings for damage. Fruit: Apple harvest is in full swing with most growers concentrating on second picking McIntosh apples, also harvesting Ginger Gold, Gala and Honeycrisp apples. Fruit size is good, but bruising can be a problem. Seeing apple drop with heavy rain showers. Many of the apples that have dropped, have low seed count which is a sign of poor pollination in the spring. Fall raspberries and pear harvest continued with peach and plum harvest is winding up. Field Crops: Farmers are chopping corn silage and hay cutting continued during the week with the second and third cuttings being made. Cover crops were being planted in harvested fields. Sadie Puglisi (Ext), Merrimack: Welcomed rains this weekend. Farm stands full of pumpkins, corn stalks, and mums. Silage quality is variable from over mature to under mature. Hay quality is good. Apple pickers are in full swing and fall raspberries are out. Nada Haddad (Ext), Rockingham: Apple harvest in full swing and PYO apple operations quite busy picking McIntosh and Gala. Peaches and plum harvests still going on. At farm stands you will find fall raspberry, pumpkins, winter squashes, sweet corn, potatoes, tomatoes and many other vegetables. Pasture looks relatively fair to good. Hay being cut and haylage being done. Had some rain this weekend. Geoffrey Njue (Ext), Strafford: Much needed rains. Vegetable growers busy harvesting an array of vegetables. A lot of field tomatoes being harvested at this time. Fruit growers busy harvesting peaches and apples. Apples and peaches picking very strong in the pick-your-own operations. Fall mum sales very strong at most garden centers and nurseries. Poinsettias growing well at most greenhouses. RHODE ISLAND - Karen Menezes (Ext), Newport: A welcomed rain arrived on Thursday. This will help pasture, but just a little late for some crops. Still harvesting corn, eggplant, tomatoes, beans etc, along with apples and tree fruits. Third cut is thin. Hard squash and pumpkins look good. Irrigation is the name of the game this season. VERMONT - John St. Onge/Kim Peterson (FSA), Lamoille: Farmers were busy chopping corn last week. Yields are beingreported as some of the best ever. Pumpkin harvest in full swing with good yields. Weekend rain will give the grass a boost. No sign of frost yet. Dave Blodgett (NRCS), Orleans: Many farms started to harvest corn this week. The drier conditions earlier in the week made harvesting a pleasure. The rains later in the week have caused some problems with mud. So far the corn looks very good. Yields should average high this year. Perley Sparrow (FSA), Windham: Corn dried down very quickly and harvesting has begun on most all farms in Windham. Terence Bradshaw, Univ of Vermont: Harvest is in full swing with Macs, Honeycrisp, and Gala the main varieties in harvest. Some growers reporting smaller crops of smaller fruit, but the rains this past week should help that some. Not a lot of drop noted, even with the hot weather we have experienced lately. Dennis Kauppila (Ext), Caledonia: Hot early in week, then wet. Have not seen the sun since Wednesday. Some people have started chopping corn. Some working on hay. Saw a bit of 4th cut this week, unusual here. Spreading manure after taking off the hay. Foliage on trees beginning to turn color. Sherwin Williams, Rutland: Still seeing winter rye on late harvested fields. Started digging late potatoes, picking squash and pumpkins. Good crop of tomatoes and potatoes. 0.730 inches of rain last night, first rain in two weeks. Lots of beets, broccoli and cabbage. A good year for cole crops. Season starting for all types of fall products and decorations. 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: John Miyares Stat Assistant: Deirdre Davis Deputy Director: Gerald Tillman New England Agricultural Statistics 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*********************