State NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER Week ending date 06/13/04 Issue NH-CW2404 Volume 24, Number 8 (issued weekly on the Internet, May - October) June 14, 2004 - 4 pm -- Agricultural Summary SUNSHINE AND HEAT ARRIVE IN NEW ENGLAND For the week ending June 13, 2004, there were 6.0 days available for field work across New England. Topsoil moisture was rated 14 percent short, 70 percent adequate, 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated three percent short, 83 percent adequate, 14 percent surplus. Pasture condition was rated as four percent poor, 13 percent percent fair, 62 percent good, 21 percent excellent. Mostly dry and sunny weather accompanied farmers to the fields, providing excellent planting and haymaking conditions across New England. Severe thunderstorms and high winds hit mid week at many locations. Cool evening temperatures and scattered frost in northernmost areas slowed crop growth early in the week, but warm temperatures arrived by week's end to improve conditions. Major farm activities included: planting sweet corn and other vegetables, field corn, broadleaf tobacco, potatoes, small grains; harvesting spinach, radishes, asparagus, rhubarb; applying fertilizer, herbicides and fungicides, spreading manure; baling hay, making haylage. SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND --------------------------------------------- -- Percent -- Soil Rating This Week Last Week Last Year --------------------------------------------- Topsoil Moisture Very Short 0 0 1 Short 14 1 8 Adequate 70 57 65 Surplus 16 42 26 Subsoil Moisture Very Short 0 0 2 Short 3 2 9 Adequate 83 70 74 Surplus 14 28 15 --------------------------------------------- -- Field Crops Report Haymaking moved into high gear during the week as farmers took advantage of mostly warm, dry conditions to bale first crop hay or chop for haylage. Growers welcomed the switch to sunshine after a cool, rainy start this spring, and first cut progress had advanced beyond last year and normal by the end of the week. Lots of sunshine allowed corn silage planting to near completion region wide, however crop needs more heat and humidity to improve growth and condition. Broadleaf tobacco transplanting was active during the week, with progress ahead of last year and normal. Potato crops in Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island responded well to the arrival of heat and sunshine, with crop conditions good or excellent in all areas. Small grain emergence neared completion in Maine, with good or excellent condition reported. -- Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report FRUIT: Orchardists were busy applying protective fungicides and insecticides as they continued scouting for disease and insect pests. Crop conditions were generally fair or good due to extended cool weather this spring. Extremely cold conditions over the winter resulted in extensive damage to grape vines and peaches. Wild blueberry fields were in full bloom, with bees busy pollinating. Cranberry growers applying fungicides and insecticides to combat above average insect pressure. Strawberries harvest was in full swing in southern states by week's end. Northern area berries still coloring up; growers expect harvest to begin in about one week. VEGETABLES: Farmers busy transplanting warm season vegetable plants. Sunshine and warmth was expected to improve crop condition; more heat needed to accelerate growth. Operators harvested cool season vegetables as well as early summer squash and lettuce. Early sweet corn under plastic had advanced to the tassel stage in some areas. -- Crop Progress Tables FIELD CROP PROGRESS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------------- Crop 2004 2003 5-yr Avg Condition ---------------------------------------------------- -- Percent Emerged -- Barley, ME 85 90 90 Good/Excel Oats, ME 85 90 90 Excel/Good Potatoes Maine 20 25 45 Excel/Good Mass 95 80 85 Good Rhode Isl 70 85 90 Good/Excel Silage Corn 70 55 70 Good/Fair Sweet Corn 65 50 60 Good -- Percent Planted -- Silage Corn 90 80 85 Good/Fair Sweet Corn 85 75 80 Good Tobacco Broadleaf 75 50 60 Good Dry Hay First Cut 40 20 35 Good/Excel ----------------------------------------------------- FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ----------------------------------------------------- Fruit Crop Stage Set Condition ----------------------------------------------------- Apples PF Avg Fair/Good Peaches PF B.Avg/Avg Fair/Good Pears PF Avg Good Blueberries Highbush FB/PF Avg Fair/Good Wild FB/PF Avg Fair/Good Cranberries,MA Bud/EB Avg Fair/Poor Strawberries FB/PF Avg Fair/Good ----------------------------------------------------- EB - Early Bloom, FB - Full Bloom, PF - Petal Fall -- Weather Summary For the week ending Sunday, June 13, 2004 ---------------------------------------------- AIR TEMPERATURES PRECIPITATION STATE LO HI AVG DFN LO HI ---- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- ME 28 95 58 -3 0.01 0.69 NH 25 94 60 -2 0.04 1.43 VT 29 91 60 -2 0.06 1.68 MA 36 93 63 -1 0.04 0.92 RI 43 92 64 -1 0.13 0.33 CT 39 94 65 +0 0.02 0.35 ---------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -- Weather Information Table Weather Summary For New England Agricultural Statistics Service - Prepared By AWIS, Inc. For the Period: Monday June 7, 2004 To: Sunday June 13, 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 35 91 59 -5 281 -98 53 -17 Allagash 28 80 53 -6 131 -59 11 +1 Augusta_State_A 44 90 61 -3 329 -16 61 +4 Bangor_Intl_Arp 42 92 61 -1 288 +0 52 +14 Barnard 37 90 58 -2 222 -7 41 +20 Bath 37 95 60 -3 236 -46 38 +1 Bethel 36 89 60 -3 320 +17 65 +21 Brassua_Dam 31 82 56 -3 152 -10 16 +10 Brunswick_ME 40 94 60 -2 358 +76 76 +39 Caribou_Municip 39 81 57 -3 194 -30 41 +20 Corinna 39 90 60 -2 288 +1 60 +23 Danforth 33 88 56 -6 181 -66 22 -6 Dover-Foxcroft 39 86 57 -3 176 -53 31 +10 Durham 38 92 59 -6 277 -86 51 -14 East_Hiram 36 91 59 -3 298 -4 67 +24 Eustis 34 82 56 -3 168 +0 32 +27 Frenchville 40 77 56 -4 163 -27 28 +18 Gray 46 93 62 +1 364 +93 80 +53 Greenville_ME 42 88 61 +3 307 +66 67 +43 Guilford 33 93 57 -4 147 -82 21 +0 Hollis 36 92 60 -2 315 +50 75 +48 Houlton 31 86 57 -3 197 -31 40 +17 Kennebunkport 34 94 57 -8 213 -191 22 -53 Livermore_Falls 34 92 59 -2 307 +74 63 +40 Moosehead 34 85 56 -2 170 +8 26 +20 New_Sharon 38 88 58 -2 268 +35 44 +21 Patten 36 85 56 -4 176 -52 31 +8 Portage 37 82 57 -3 175 -49 32 +11 Portland_ME 42 92 60 -2 306 +35 63 +36 Rangeley 34 84 56 -2 179 +20 25 +22 Sebec_Lake 36 89 58 -2 219 -22 41 +17 Vanceboro 38 88 57 -3 179 -43 27 +9 Waterville 40 90 60 -5 273 -106 40 -30 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 36 90 61 -3 348 -23 85 +13 Benton 35 85 59 -3 327 +14 74 +29 Berlin_AG 36 87 59 -3 313 +20 72 +30 Bethlehem 25 86 55 -7 283 -29 60 +14 Concord 38 93 63 +0 525 +154 157 +85 Diamond_Pond 32 78 54 -3 180 +29 23 +23 First_Conn_Lake 35 80 56 -1 154 +3 14 +14 Greenville 40 92 64 +3 505 +168 140 +86 Keene_AP 37 90 62 -4 506 +40 132 +17 Lakeport 44 91 63 +1 428 +98 102 +45 Marlow 34 84 58 -7 299 -108 59 -26 Mount_Washingto 26 58 42 -2 16 +16 0 +0 North_Conway 39 93 62 -1 396 +62 109 +52 Otter_Brook_Lk 39 89 62 -4 437 -29 105 -10 Plymouth 35 89 60 -2 319 +44 68 +32 Rochester 42 93 62 -3 385 -31 97 +7 Weare 42 90 63 -2 401 -6 91 +6 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 36 91 61 -1 391 +75 86 +37 Bethel 32 88 60 -1 383 +94 95 +52 Burlington_Intl 40 88 63 -2 524 +94 171 +70 East_Haven 29 86 57 -2 289 +72 63 +39 Island_Pond 33 83 57 -2 266 +47 52 +27 Montpelier 36 86 59 -2 384 +77 105 +57 Morrisville_AG 33 86 57 -5 261 -31 56 +11 Mount_Mansfield 37 71 53 -1 124 +44 15 +15 Northfield 34 86 59 -2 320 +64 71 +37 Pownal 39 86 60 -2 456 +133 111 +58 Rochester 36 86 60 -1 376 +87 92 +49 Rutland_AG 37 86 61 -4 420 -57 92 -31 Sunderland 34 87 60 -5 409 -42 93 -13 Sutton 37 85 58 -1 256 +39 53 +29 Townshend_Lake 39 89 62 -3 443 +38 110 +21 Union_Vill_Dam 36 90 61 -3 367 -52 92 -2 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 42 88 62 +0 454 +137 106 +58 Boston/Logan_In 50 93 65 -2 578 +66 176 +59 Greenfield 41 90 64 -3 542 +31 150 +22 New_Bedford 44 89 63 -3 482 -23 100 -10 Otis_AFB 46 81 61 -2 410 +74 79 +28 Plymouth 40 90 61 -3 442 +75 106 +41 Walpole 44 93 64 -1 534 +116 133 +48 West_Medway 40 93 64 +1 574 +156 166 +81 Chicopee/Westov 45 93 66 -2 681 +58 227 +49 Worcester 48 88 64 +2 541 +168 154 +89 Worthington 37 87 61 -1 417 +95 97 +46 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 48 92 66 -1 591 +126 155 +54 Woonsocket 43 92 64 +0 542 +130 150 +76 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 40 88 62 -6 495 -98 125 -45 Bridgeport/Siko 54 88 68 +2 636 +110 173 +36 Hartford/Bradle 43 94 67 -1 694 +108 230 +63 Norfolk 42 91 62 +1 476 +159 125 +77 Norwich 45 94 65 -1 606 +86 167 +39 Thomaston_Dam 39 93 65 +2 664 +233 211 +121 Willimantic 42 91 64 -1 609 +173 178 +88 1-WEEK PRECIP 4-WEEK CUM PRECIP ------------- ----------------- TOTAL TOTAL STATION INCHES DFN DAYS INCHES DFN DAYS ------- ----- ---- --- ----- ---- --- MAINE Albion 0.17 -0.67 1 3.41 +0.05 14 Allagash 0.05 -0.65 1 1.92 -0.91 9 Augusta_State_A 0.15 -0.62 2 3.14 -0.11 15 Bangor_Intl_Arp 0.20 -0.57 1 2.70 -0.45 12 Barnard 0.30 -0.57 1 2.84 -0.52 14 Bath 0.31 -0.58 2 4.28 +0.90 14 Bethel 0.04 -0.91 2 2.96 -0.59 15 Brassua_Dam 0.20 -0.71 1 3.33 -0.04 12 Brunswick_ME 0.42 -0.47 2 4.33 +0.95 15 Caribou_Municip 0.23 -0.40 2 2.32 -0.37 11 Corinna 0.24 -0.60 1 3.29 -0.01 13 Danforth 0.69 -0.15 2 3.19 -0.18 14 Dover-Foxcroft 0.18 -0.69 1 2.63 -0.73 12 Durham 0.17 -0.70 2 5.09 +1.76 15 East_Hiram 0.12 -0.79 2 4.88 +1.40 17 Eustis 0.31 -0.46 1 3.46 +0.38 13 Frenchville 0.34 -0.36 3 2.31 -0.52 14 Gray 0.26 -0.58 2 4.21 +1.03 17 Greenville_ME 0.29 -0.58 1 1.22 -2.14 9 Guilford 0.18 -0.69 1 2.95 -0.41 15 Hollis 0.10 -0.80 2 4.43 +1.01 16 Houlton 0.21 -0.56 1 2.30 -0.78 12 Kennebunkport 0.26 -0.61 2 5.59 +2.13 19 Livermore_Falls 0.49 -0.49 2 3.05 -0.62 14 Moosehead 0.18 -0.73 1 2.50 -0.87 12 New_Sharon 0.06 -0.92 1 2.63 -1.04 13 Patten 0.20 -0.57 2 2.79 -0.29 13 Portage 0.33 -0.30 2 3.39 +0.70 14 Portland_ME 0.07 -0.77 2 3.56 +0.38 15 Rangeley 0.12 -0.75 1 3.16 -0.12 13 Sebec_Lake 0.28 -0.59 2 2.68 -0.68 13 Vanceboro 0.29 -0.48 1 2.62 -0.51 13 Waterville 0.62 -0.22 2 3.84 +0.48 12 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 0.40 -0.36 3 5.77 +2.87 19 Benton 0.27 -0.64 1 3.75 +0.34 14 Berlin_AG 0.15 -0.83 1 3.22 -0.38 10 Bethlehem 0.22 -0.71 1 4.48 +1.07 16 Concord 0.73 -0.03 3 4.30 +1.40 16 Diamond_Pond 1.20 +0.14 1 5.51 +1.51 16 First_Conn_Lake 0.10 -0.96 1 4.15 +0.15 12 Greenville 0.66 -0.25 1 4.31 +0.80 15 Keene_AP 0.94 +0.10 2 6.27 +2.84 17 Lakeport 0.57 -0.27 3 4.63 +1.27 18 Marlow 0.78 -0.10 1 5.02 +1.41 15 Mount_Washingto 0.77 -1.11 2 7.68 +0.59 17 North_Conway 0.09 -0.88 2 3.69 +0.00 16 Otter_Brook_Lk 0.49 -0.35 2 5.28 +1.85 16 Plymouth 0.04 -0.80 1 3.49 -0.02 13 Rochester 0.38 -0.46 2 6.50 +3.14 15 Weare 0.96 +0.08 3 5.63 +2.02 18 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 0.77 -0.33 2 5.64 +1.37 16 Bethel 0.85 -0.06 1 5.12 +1.34 15 Burlington_Intl 0.51 -0.28 1 5.28 +2.28 14 East_Haven 0.15 -0.83 2 4.49 +0.79 15 Island_Pond 0.52 -0.46 1 5.04 +1.29 14 Montpelier 0.31 -0.53 1 5.40 +2.16 15 Morrisville_AG 0.53 -0.39 2 4.50 +0.96 15 Mount_Mansfield 1.24 -0.31 3 7.99 +2.33 17 Northfield 0.32 -0.43 1 5.66 +2.56 13 Pownal 0.33 -0.77 2 4.40 +0.13 16 Rochester 1.45 +0.54 1 6.89 +3.11 14 Rutland_AG 1.68 +0.84 1 8.19 +4.89 13 Sunderland 0.06 -0.73 1 5.18 +1.87 15 Sutton 0.13 -0.85 1 5.21 +1.51 14 Townshend_Lake 0.50 -0.27 1 4.91 +1.83 16 Union_Vill_Dam 0.53 -0.24 1 4.32 +1.13 16 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 0.51 -0.33 3 3.70 +0.39 18 Boston/Logan_In 0.29 -0.47 2 3.17 +0.27 16 Greenfield 0.56 -0.35 3 5.53 +1.89 19 New_Bedford 0.08 -0.80 1 2.90 -0.46 11 Otis_AFB 0.20 -0.57 1 2.58 -0.61 10 Plymouth 0.18 -0.66 2 3.12 -0.28 16 Walpole 0.67 -0.21 2 3.87 +0.61 16 West_Medway 0.40 -0.48 2 3.16 -0.10 14 Chicopee/Westov 0.43 -0.55 3 4.04 +0.18 16 Worcester 0.42 -0.49 2 2.88 -0.90 16 Worthington 0.82 -0.09 3 5.55 +1.66 18 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 0.13 -0.64 1 2.21 -1.02 13 Woonsocket 0.23 -0.75 2 3.03 -0.68 13 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 0.18 -0.73 2 3.92 +0.24 14 Bridgeport/Siko 0.06 -0.72 3 2.20 -1.14 17 Hartford/Bradle 0.10 -0.81 3 2.31 -1.37 16 Norfolk 0.35 -0.77 3 5.13 +0.84 17 Norwich 0.02 -0.75 1 2.55 -0.95 11 Thomaston_Dam 0.32 -0.66 3 3.44 -0.48 14 Willimantic 0.12 -0.72 3 2.57 -1.00 15 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 and hay looks good. Ross Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: Final plantings of field corn. A lot of dry hay baled. Labor Day sweet corn planted and subsequent plantings of squash and other direct seeded crops. Pumpkins planted. Strawberry harvest in full swing. Marsha Jette (FSA), New London: Grape producers have been in the office with 15 to 95 percent loss of grape vines due to the extremely cold winter. Producers say hay is a heavy crop this year. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: Hazy, hot and humid to cool conditions. First cutting hay going in. Some farms opt for haylage with first cutting done. Strawberries sweet and good color. Winter kill evident, a concern in vineyards and in reduced peach development. Tough finding labor to hay. MAINE - Marvin Hedstrom, Northern Aroostook: Potatoes and small grains: Crops are all planted. Growers busy picking rocks and applying herbicides. A few have begun cultivating potatoes. Potatoes are emerging fast due to warm temperatures. Small grains also look good. Could it be that summer is finally here. Warm weekend temperatures are bringing the crops along rapidly. Pam Hickey (Ext), Central Aroostook: Farmers have been able to finish field work this past week. Some rock picking occurring. Some herbicides being applied. Steve London, Southern Aroostook: Potatoes and small grains: There is some concern about block cutworm in the area, especially for corn or canola crops. We will have to monitor these pests over the next few weeks. Rick Kersbergen (Ext), Waldo: Dry weather allowed for some good hay-making weather. Strawberry harvest should begin in another week or so. Corn is slowly turning green. Trudy Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: Haying has begun. The ground is drying up so more row crops are being planted. All silage corn and sweet corn is in. Weekend weather was perfect for outdoor work. Dr. David Yarborough (Ext), Washington: Wild blueberries: Bees actively pollinating wild blueberries. Bears actively raiding and destroying hives. Jill Littlefield (FSA), Cumberland/York: We got some much needed sun and heat. Things are greening up and corn has started to grow. Strawberries have started to color up and we should be picking in about a week. Greenhouse veggies are coming on strong. Lettuce, radishes, and other early crops are being picked. Apple producers are holding their breath hoping their trees made it through the cold winter. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: Soybeans are planted. Ideal conditions for first cut hay. Some farmers are looking for rain just to get a day off!!! Laura Rand (FSA), Oxford: WOW, what a week! Things are looking up with the nice weather rolling in. Corn is growing, potatoes are growing, oats are looking good, and first cut hay starting to be harvested. Some real cool nights and frost in the most northern areas of the county, however, life is good and we are on, finally pulling out of that cool, damp, weather. MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: Most (growers) finished planting corn. A lot of fields being mowed for hay and baleage. Weed spraying was done with good drying conditions. Nice field working week, but the weather will change as usual. Paul Russell (FSA), Southeast Massachusetts: Hot dry weather has pushed all crops along, excellent weather to harvest the first cutting of hay. Cranberries are starting to bloom and the prospects for the 2004 crop are improving. Sweet and field corn are developing quickly, other vegetables are improving daily. Veggie growers are finishing planting, cranberry growers are applying fungicide, and insecticides; insect pressure is above average at this point in the growing season. John Devine (FSA), Franklin: Weather improvements allowed farmers to cut most of their first-cut hay and straw this week. Strawberries have ripened and road side stands were very busy this weekend. The crop looks and tastes great. Some sweet corn is beginning to tassel, shade tobacco is being tied, and strawberries are ready, it must be summer! Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA), Hampshire/Hampden: Another week of scattered thunderstorms and cool temperatures. Crop are growing very slow and lots of sunshine and heat is needed. Potatoes like this weather and are growing very well. Early potatoes are being hilled up and some are blooming. Strawberries are just starting to be harvested along with early summer squash, radishes, beets and lettuce. Sales are also very good in the flower and nursery industry. Early sweet corn under plastic is in tassel stage. Gary Guida, Worcester: What a perfect week! Haying, transplanting, field work, and U-pick strawberries! First cut hay complete. Transplanting of fall crops complete. U-pickers out in force but big surprise is huge sales of annuals and perennials at farm stands. Welcome change for growers. NEW HAMPSHIRE - Tina Savage (Ext), Carroll: Drier conditions have allowed for first cutting to begin in some cases and to be completed in others. Most corn is planted and a share of it is up and growing, slowly. Some early strawberries are ready. Cool weather is slowing vegetable transplants growth. Garden centers and nurseries doing a brisk business. Carl Majewski (Ext), Cheshire: What a difference a little sun and warmth make! The last of the field corn has emerged, and the rest is somewhere between 3-leaf and 5-leaf stage. First cutting continues - many took advantage of excellent drying conditions over the weekend to make dry hay. Most standing grass is quite mature now, clover has started to bloom. Fruit & vegetable crops look much better with improved weather - farm stands and farmer markets offering greens, radishes, high-tunnel tomatoes and strawberries. PYO strawberries to start this week. Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: A week of generally dry sunny weather allows farms an opportunity to get caught up on field work. Lots of first cut haylage going into bank silos. Corn now all in and up in many fields, some at 4-leaf or so stage. Vegetable plants progressing outside with early crops coming along - lettuce, etc. Green tomatoes on plants in a few high tunnels. Manure spreading on meadows on those cut for haylage. Still scattered frost reported earlier in the week. Uncertain fruit set on apples. Caterpillars of all sorts abundant this season! Steve Schmidt (FSA), Grafton: The latter half of last week provided fantastic haying conditions. First cut generally was taken off a little later than preferred due to rainy conditions in May. Almost all of the corn is in, and emerged. We had extensive winter kill in the central western area of Grafton County. These alfalfa pieces have been replanted or planted to corn, and are emerged and looking good. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: Vegetables: Transplanting tomato and pepper plants, and making successive planting vegetable crops. Harvesting spinach, greens, radish, asparagus and rhubarb. Finally, the SUN appeared with needed warmer temperatures and plants are starting to green up. Fruit: Fruit growers monitoring pest and crop development and applying cover sprays for pest control. Starting to pick strawberries. Mowing orchard floor and weed spraying under trees. With rainy conditions, growers are making sure to have protectant fungicides applied for strawberry fruit mold control. Field Crops: Planting and weed spraying corn fields. Farmers are trying to make haylage and trying to make baled hay between rain showers. Some fields too wet for harvest equipment. Grasses heading out and maturing, especially orchard grass. Corn growing slowly. John Porter (Ext), Merrimack: Hot weather has resulted in some serious hay making. Many took advantage of a window of opportunity this week. Several got caught with the severe thunder- showers and wind rows were literally blown into the woods. A lot of caterpillar damage on trees, shrubs and blueberries, but they are slowing down. Corn had a growth spurt with the hot weather. Transplants are starting to grow. Nada Haddad (Ext), Rockingham: Gorgeous week-end for PYO strawberries. Harvesting greenhouse tomatoes, leafy green vegetables, zucchinis. Weeding vegetable fields and mowing orchards between thunder showers. We had some cold nights with warmer and sunnier days. Busy cutting hay before rain. Pam Marvin (FSA), Sullivan: Storms in mid-week gave way to a great stretch of warm, dry weather. Lots of first cutting of baled hay was completed, followed by a top-dressing of manure. Most of first cutting of alfalfa is complete with the second crop coming up nicely. Silage and sweet corn coming up but could use some humid weather for growth. Strawberry production looks to be headed for an average year. Geoffrey Njue (Ext), Strafford: An excellent week for field work. Farmers busy making the first cut due to excellent weather. Grass in pastures and hayfields continue to grow well. Farmers busy planting fields that were too wet to plant the previous weeks. Vegetable growers planting and transplanting warm season vegetable crops. Apples, blue berries and strawberries looking great. Growers continue to monitor for disease and insect pests and spraying where necessary. Warm dry weather was a boost for greenhouses and garden centers to improve on their plant sales. RHODE ISLAND - Karen Menezes (Ext), Newport: Good weather made field work a pleasure, spraying potatoes, weed control being applied and still planting some sweet corn and summer vegetables, pumpkins and winter squash. Haying began this week and looks like a good crop. Marilu Soileau (FSA), All Counties: Harvesting strawberries, peas, early lettuce, herbs. Heavy set on the strawberries - good weekend for PYO. Sweet corn is up 6-8 inches everywhere. Blueberries had a heavy bloom. Lots of haying going on this weekend. VERMONT - John St. Onge/Kim Peterson (FSA), Lamoille: Last week brought dry warm weather which was helpful for haying. Corn enjoyed the heat although the weekend brought more warnings of frost which most of the county avoided. Dave Blodgett (NRCS), Orleans: Landowners are finishing corn planting and have started first cut haying. The corn has emerged but is a little slow in starting. The wet cool weather is probably responsible for this. Hay crop looks good. I've seen some mud tracts in the wetter fields so the moisture content in the soils are excessive in spots. All of the hay harvested so far has been for haylage. I haven't seen or heard of any dry bales harvested yet. Perley Sparrow (FSA), Windham: Blueberrys producers are seeing poor pollination and winter damage to their crop. Apple growers say this year crop is looking great. Strawberries are coming into season but slow because of the cooler weather. Field corn crop this year looks average so far. Jeff Carter (Ext), Addison: Harvesting hay crop. Spreading manure after harvest. Late harvesting for most farms, grasses fully headed. Regrowth of alfalfa, clover grass on early cut fields good. Corn plants mostly vigorous in growth. Weed control - good activity. Pasture growth good, clover in bloom. Dennis Kauppila (Ext), Caledonia: Big week of haying. Lots of hay/haylage/baleage went in over the weekend. Perfect conditions. Cool, near frosty for two mornings. Corn needs some warm temperatures to really get growing. Chris Benedict (Ext), Chittenden: Fruit development is at above average for this time of year, but a good week of clear, hot weather would be beneficial. Heather Darby (Ext), Franklin: Nice weather most of last week. Farmers were busy harvesting first cut hay. Some dry hay being made along with haylage. A lot of grasses heading out. Corn being planted and sprayed. Corn is up between spike and fourth leaf stage. Some corn is yellow in color but warm weather should help this symptom. Gerorge Cook (Ext), LaMoille: Excellent week for hayland activities. Near frost in many locations Friday & Saturday mornings; spotty high winds, thunderstorms on Tuesday, some tree & limb damage. Overall, a good work week. 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 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: 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 ***********************