new-eng-crop-weather State NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER Week ending July 8, 2001 Issue NH-CW2701 Volume 21, Number 10 (issued weekly on the Internet, May - October) July 9, 2001 - 4 pm Agricultural Summary ARMYWORMS INVADE NEW ENGLAND! For the week ending July 8, 2001, there were 5.9 days available for fieldwork across New England. Pasture condition was rated as 0% very poor, 3% poor, 28% fair, 52% good, 17% excellent. Major farm activities included: planting sweet corn; cultivating and hilling potatoes; testing soils for nitrate; sidedressing fields with fertilizer; cutting hay and chopping haylage; harvesting strawberries, raspberries, highbush blueberries, sweet corn, summer squash, cole crops, peas, zucchini, snap beans, radishes, and other vegetables; and spraying for weeds, insects, and fungus. SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND --------------------------------------------- -- Percent -- Soil Rating This Week Last Week Last Year --------------------------------------------- Topsoil Moisture Very Short 2 1 0 Short 15 21 9 Adequate 73 69 79 Surplus 10 9 12 Subsoil Moisture Very Short 8 10 0 Short 8 11 6 Adequate 74 69 84 Surplus 10 10 10 --------------------------------------------- Field Crops Report Cooler temperatures, along with below average precipitation, arrived in New England last week after the previous week's hot, humid trend. Conditions were favorable for fieldwork, but rain will be needed soon to help crop growth. Armyworms continued to wreak havoc with corn and hay crops at locations throughout New England. Potatoes were blossoming as farmers continued to hill and cultivate their crops. Field corn height is variable throughout the six-state region and farmers are keeping a close eye on their fields for armyworm damage. Shade and broadleaf tobacco crops were reported in good to fair condition. The harvesting of both first and second cut hay continued ahead of normal, with farmers trying to keep ahead of the armyworm damage. Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report FRUIT: Orchards were mowed and monitored for weeds and pests. Apples have been reported in poor condition in both Connecticut and Rhode Island, and conditions ranged from fair to excellent elsewhere. New England's pear crop has seen better days; it is currently in very poor to poor condition. Strawberry harvest was 85% complete in New England last week and was being wrapped up in both Connecticut and Massachusetts. Highbush blueberry harvesting continued and raspberry harvesting began. Maine wild blueberry growers actively sprayed their crops for fruit flies; berries are starting to turn blue. Most of the Massachusetts cranberry crop is currently in Petal Fall Stage, with an average reported fruit set. VEGETABLES: The harvesting of radishes, peas, broccoli, zucchini, lettuce, and other vegetables proceeded, with most crops reported in good condition. Sweet corn harvest got underway in New England, with 5% of the harvest complete. Armyworms have been detected in various sweet corn fields. Fields were monitored and growers made fungicide and insecticide applications where necessary. Soil nitrate levels continued to be tested and fields were sidedressed with fertilizer. Crop Progress Tables FIELD CROP PROGRESS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ------------------------------------------------------ Crop 2001 2000 5-yr Avg Condition ------------------------------------------------------ Potatoes -- Percent Emerged -- Maine 100 100 100 Excel/Good Mass 100 100 100 Good Rhode Isl 100 100 100 Good Oats, ME 100 100 100 Excel/Good Barley, ME 100 100 100 Excel/Good Silage Corn 99 95 99 Good/Excel Sweet Corn 95 95 95 Good Tobacco -- Percent Planted -- Shade 100 100 100 Good/Fair Broadleaf 100 100 99 Good/Fair Sweet Corn 99 99 99 Good Dry Hay --Percent Harvested-- First Cut 85 75 75 Good/Fair Second Cut 20 5 10 Good ------------------------------------------------------ FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND -------------------------------------------------------- Percent Fruit Crop Harvested Size Condition -------------------------------------------------------- Apples -- Avg Good Peaches -- Avg/B.Avg Good/Fair Pears -- Avg V.Poor/Poor Strawberries 85 Avg Good Cranberries,MA -- Avg Good/Fair Blueberries Highbush 5 Avg Fair Wild,ME -- B.Avg Good -------------------------------------------------------- Weather Summary For the Week ending Sunday, July 8, 2001 --------------------------------------- AIR TEMPERATURES PRECIPITATION STATE LO HI AVG DFN LO HI -- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- ME 38 88 63 -4 0.00 2.17 NH 24 88 61 -6 0.00 1.87 VT 31 84 61 -6 0.28 2.44 MA 41 91 66 -4 0.50 2.71 RI 48 89 68 -3 0.58 0.85 CT 42 92 67 -5 0.28 1.63 --------------------------------------- Weather Information Table AIR CUM SINCE MAR 1 TEMPERATURE GROWING DEGREE DAYS ----------- BASE-50F BASE-60F STATION LO HI AVG DFN TOT DFN TOT DFN ------- -- -- -- -- --- ---- --- ---- MAINE Albion 45 86 64 -6 800 +8 272 +35 Allagash 38 78 60 -4 572 +85 144 +60 Augusta_ME 50 84 66 -3 927 +182 360 +147 Bangor 47 87 66 -2 901 +243 336 +171 Barnard 47 83 63 -3 763 +208 238 +124 Bath 45 84 64 -5 746 +88 255 +87 Bethel 45 82 61 -7 773 +99 244 +73 Brassua_Dam 46 76 61 -3 608 +168 150 +81 Brunswick_ME 49 84 65 -4 819 +161 300 +132 Caribou 46 79 63 -3 736 +201 217 +111 Corinna 47 85 64 -3 855 +208 292 +136 Danforth 38 82 62 -6 701 +95 210 +65 Dover-Foxcroft 48 84 62 -4 735 +180 225 +111 Durham 44 84 63 -8 757 -34 268 +22 East_Hiram 45 83 62 -6 753 +81 253 +83 Eustis 43 75 59 -5 558 +119 141 +78 Frenchville 44 74 61 -4 642 +155 169 +85 Gray 50 85 66 -2 926 +286 374 +221 Greenville_ME 47 80 63 -3 708 +142 215 +98 Guilford 41 85 64 -3 742 +187 256 +142 Hollis 46 86 65 -2 814 +191 299 +155 Houlton 40 85 63 -3 711 +161 220 +106 Kennebunkport 44 85 63 -8 749 -96 273 +1 Livermore_Falls 43 88 65 -1 844 +287 317 +204 Moosehead 42 78 61 -4 594 +154 145 +76 New_Sharon 50 86 66 +2 934 +377 367 +254 Patten 45 80 61 -5 605 +55 154 +40 Portage 45 78 62 -3 737 +202 229 +123 Portland_ME 49 88 66 -2 877 +237 350 +197 Rangeley 42 77 58 -5 568 +151 143 +88 Sebec_Lake 43 84 63 -4 737 +171 230 +113 Vanceboro 43 81 63 -4 710 +156 209 +95 Waterville 49 87 66 -4 869 +77 317 +80 NEW HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 44 88 64 -5 924 +148 364 +133 Benton 44 77 61 -6 738 +89 217 +72 Berlin_AG 44 80 61 -6 773 +132 238 +87 Bethlehem 42 80 60 -6 708 +59 200 +53 Concord 43 86 66 -4 943 +167 367 +136 Diamond_Pond 39 79 58 -5 530 +141 131 +90 First_Conn_Lake 40 77 57 -6 468 +79 109 +68 Greenville 40 84 62 -5 764 +65 257 +81 Keene_AP 43 84 65 -6 948 +43 354 +45 Lakeport 49 84 66 -3 967 +248 376 +175 Marlow 40 82 60 -9 712 -97 223 -20 Mt_Washington 24 54 41 -7 76 +68 6 +6 North_Conway 47 88 64 -4 960 +242 380 +181 Otter_Brook_Lk 44 83 62 -8 847 -58 279 -30 Plymouth 43 81 61 -6 749 +131 233 +90 Rochester 44 84 65 -5 957 +120 393 +125 Weare 45 82 63 -6 815 +6 280 +37 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 37 80 60 -7 604 -62 162 +1 Bethel 41 82 63 -4 819 +193 271 +123 Burlington_VT 50 80 66 -5 1052 +196 412 +128 East_Haven 39 79 60 -5 656 +148 180 +79 Island_Pond 41 76 59 -5 671 +165 188 +94 Montpelier 44 77 61 -6 756 +105 236 +75 Morrisville_AG 43 82 60 -6 627 -11 166 +7 Mount_Mansfield 31 65 52 -7 357 +124 66 +51 Northfield 44 79 62 -3 751 +177 221 +93 Pownal 45 80 61 -6 814 +142 251 +84 Rochester 43 78 60 -6 732 +106 213 +65 Rutland_AG 45 78 62 -8 830 -78 259 -50 Sunderland 43 77 60 -10 692 -177 188 -93 Sutton 42 77 59 -6 692 +184 198 +97 Townshend_Lake 46 82 63 -7 809 -17 268 +6 Union_Vill_Dam 43 83 61 -9 787 -53 238 -31 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 45 81 63 -4 924 +233 340 +159 Boston 57 88 70 -3 1210 +204 558 +191 Greenfield 44 87 64 -8 959 -18 365 +13 New_Bedford 47 85 67 -6 1072 +83 437 +90 Otis_AFB 52 82 68 -2 1031 +283 435 +220 Plymouth 45 85 66 -5 1004 +208 396 +148 Walpole 48 86 67 -4 1131 +280 486 +212 West_Medway 46 88 66 -4 1128 +277 483 +209 Westover 48 88 68 -6 1164 +27 498 +49 Worcester 46 81 63 -6 971 +193 368 +140 Worthington 41 82 61 -7 775 +96 252 +83 RHODE ISLAND Providence 51 87 68 -4 1195 +255 522 +192 Woonsocket 48 89 68 -2 1158 +321 513 +258 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 42 86 64 -9 927 -170 339 -92 Bridgeport 53 87 70 -3 1217 +200 523 +141 Hartford_AP 45 89 68 -5 1185 +95 509 +81 Norfolk 43 82 64 -3 885 +207 315 +145 Norwich 50 92 67 -4 1191 +208 508 +161 Thomaston_Dam 43 88 64 -5 1013 +167 390 +128 Willimantic 47 89 68 -3 1190 +333 504 +236 1-WEEK PRECIP 4-WEEK CUM PRECIP ------------- ----------------- TOTAL TOTAL STATION INCHES DFN DAYS INCHES DFN DAYS ------- ------ ---- --- ----- ---- --- MAINE Albion 1.13 +0.35 4 2.14 -1.11 12 Allagash 0.45 -0.36 4 4.00 +0.96 10 Augusta_ME 0.89 +0.15 4 2.50 -0.53 10 Bangor 0.65 -0.12 4 1.39 -1.69 9 Barnard 0.63 -0.21 4 1.77 -1.68 11 Bath 1.02 +0.31 2 3.26 +0.07 8 Bethel 2.17 +1.33 4 4.97 +1.36 12 Brassua_Dam 0.62 -0.29 3 2.60 -1.10 10 Brunswick_ME 1.17 +0.46 3 3.61 +0.42 9 Caribou 1.11 +0.28 6 2.44 -0.48 13 Corinna 1.10 +0.33 4 3.44 +0.18 8 Danforth 0.40 -0.44 4 1.22 -2.19 8 Dover-Foxcroft 0.44 -0.40 4 1.27 -2.18 9 Durham 0.73 -0.07 3 3.35 -0.04 10 East_Hiram 0.82 -0.02 3 2.41 -1.07 9 Eustis 1.12 +0.28 3 3.61 +0.40 9 Frenchville 0.79 -0.02 6 3.04 +0.00 13 Gray 1.33 +0.58 3 4.13 +0.99 11 Greenville_ME 0.69 -0.15 5 1.88 -1.57 10 Guilford 0.55 -0.29 4 2.59 -0.86 10 Hollis 1.17 +0.39 3 3.78 +0.44 10 Houlton 0.57 -0.25 4 1.44 -1.69 9 Kennebunkport 0.90 +0.17 3 5.24 +2.03 10 Livermore_Falls 1.24 +0.44 4 4.14 +0.49 10 Moosehead 0.82 -0.09 4 2.15 -1.55 9 New_Sharon 1.35 +0.55 4 6.07 +2.42 10 Patten 1.07 +0.25 5 2.01 -1.12 12 Portage 0.54 -0.29 4 2.47 -0.45 9 Portland_ME 0.51 -0.24 3 2.72 -0.42 9 Rangeley 0.76 -0.04 3 1.93 -1.46 8 Sebec_Lake 0.52 -0.32 5 2.04 -1.41 12 Vanceboro 0.59 -0.18 5 1.65 -1.35 10 Waterville 0.78 +0.00 4 1.41 -1.84 10 NEW HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 1.04 +0.34 4 4.72 +1.78 12 Benton 0.62 -0.18 3 1.87 -1.56 7 Berlin_AG 0.42 -0.43 3 1.96 -1.76 6 Bethlehem 1.43 +0.53 4 2.27 -1.47 10 Concord 0.79 +0.09 4 4.32 +1.38 13 Diamond_Pond 1.11 +0.06 5 4.94 +0.63 12 First_Conn_Lake 1.15 +0.10 2 4.60 +0.29 11 Greenville 1.87 +1.03 4 4.38 +0.97 9 Keene_AP 0.00 -0.80 0 3.11 -0.21 4 Lakeport 1.03 +0.26 4 3.11 -0.07 11 Marlow 1.24 +0.43 4 4.27 +0.93 9 Mt_Washington 1.33 -0.30 3 3.34 -3.74 11 North_Conway 0.98 +0.13 4 2.10 -1.53 8 Otter_Brook_Lk 0.70 -0.10 5 3.18 -0.14 12 Plymouth 1.17 +0.33 4 2.59 -0.77 9 Rochester 0.57 -0.21 4 4.41 +1.20 10 Weare 1.24 +0.43 4 4.59 +1.25 11 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 1.74 +0.79 3 5.38 +1.30 12 Bethel 1.27 +0.43 4 2.53 -0.88 10 Burlington_VT 0.28 -0.52 2 2.03 -1.26 11 East_Haven 0.65 -0.32 3 2.01 -1.96 10 Island_Pond 1.35 +0.38 4 2.91 -1.06 9 Montpelier 0.77 +0.07 3 2.11 -0.97 10 Morrisville_AG 0.29 -0.62 3 2.10 -1.65 9 Mount_Mansfield 0.29 -1.18 3 3.43 -2.76 10 Northfield 1.14 +0.37 3 3.84 +0.92 8 Pownal 2.44 +1.49 3 5.73 +1.65 9 Rochester 0.94 +0.10 4 2.44 -0.97 10 Rutland_AG 2.26 +1.42 3 5.25 +1.89 7 Sunderland 2.28 +1.59 3 4.99 +2.06 10 Sutton 0.96 -0.01 3 2.19 -1.78 11 Townshend_Lake 1.46 +0.76 4 3.84 +1.00 12 Union_Vill_Dam 0.96 +0.26 4 2.56 -0.39 11 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 2.02 +1.18 4 7.37 +4.01 13 Boston 1.33 +0.69 4 5.47 +2.70 10 Greenfield 1.39 +0.53 4 3.67 +0.17 11 New_Bedford 0.63 -0.07 4 5.61 +2.46 10 Otis_AFB 0.86 +0.20 2 3.42 +0.54 9 Plymouth 0.66 -0.11 5 4.06 +0.93 11 Walpole 1.22 +0.43 5 10.51 +7.08 11 West_Medway 1.33 +0.54 5 9.72 +6.29 10 Westover 0.52 -0.34 4 3.49 -0.17 12 Worcester 0.72 -0.19 5 5.18 +1.57 13 Worthington 0.59 -0.35 4 3.23 -0.41 11 RHODE ISLAND Providence 0.58 -0.12 5 5.74 +2.74 10 Woonsocket 0.85 -0.06 4 6.92 +3.19 10 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 0.28 -0.48 4 5.75 +2.43 12 Bridgeport 0.77 -0.07 5 3.82 +0.58 15 Hartford_AP 0.35 -0.41 3 3.91 +0.59 12 Norfolk 0.43 -0.55 4 4.39 +0.22 13 Norwich 1.43 +0.64 5 8.91 +5.85 10 Thomaston_Dam 0.81 -0.10 5 6.26 +2.54 15 Willimantic 0.56 -0.35 5 5.52 +1.98 11 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 2001: 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: Farmers are seeing some erosion from heavy rains. Armyworms have ruined some pastures and hay fields. No report of damage in corn fields yet. Ross Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: Outbreaks of armyworms (common) throughout the area munching on grass, field corn, and turf. Sweet corn harvest in the valley is moving along with strong prices to those who have it. Cabbage, lettuce and peas being harvested. Areas still have water standing or a high water table which is affecting crop growth. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: Joyce Meader got it right last week, we have been severely invaded by armyworms. What was recently beautiful hayfields awaiting second cutting has been diminished to scraps of hay with weeds as the worms munch through acres and acres in just days. Frantic calls have been coming into FSA and Extension regarding what to do, can we help with loss, and whether to spray with Sevin or Warrior or not to spray and cut what's left on the field, and hope the armyworms are going to be done soon. Are they true armyworms, will they be back in the fall? We've never experienced this type of destruction of hay and with a poor first cutting - not good at all. Strawberry production is about over, the harvest went well with the season compressed a little due to heat. Corn is in various stages of very good to quite poor, ranging in height from chest high to just a few inches, weed control good to poor as well. Markdowns on bedding plants and perennials at garden centers. Joyce Meader (Ext), Windham: Armyworm invasion continues, the hayfields and pastures are found stripped of grass. Pesticide dealers are not spraying if larvae are over 1.5 inches since pupation is about to start, and there is a waiting list for crop spraying. Otherwise, crop growing conditions are excellent, and the grass roots should be healthy for the next regrowth. Richard Meinert (Ext), CT Cooperative: Armyworms are everywhere! They are decimating hay fields and home lawns... few reports of damage to corn. Hundreds if not thousands of acres affected. Crops without worms look good... we could use some heat to speed growth. MAINE - Marvin Hedstrom, Northern Aroostook: Potatoes: Applying fungicides and insecticides. Final hilling just about completed. Crops growing rapidly with perfect conditions. Adequate moisture and sun. A few European corn borer egg masses located in one area. Erin Chadbourne (Ext), Central Aroostook: The activity in the region is mostly cultivation and fungicide applications. Potatoes are blooming with color now. Albert Dow (NRCS), Piscataquis: Almost a half-inch of rain in all. Farmers still haying first crop. Calls coming in daily about armyworms. Four farms have been attacked in masses. Donna Lamb (Ext), Piscataquis: Armyworms have attacked several more hay and corn fields. Janet King/Jennifer Zweig (FSA), Somerset: Armyworms are everywhere. Corn that is not damaged by armyworms looks good. Some highbush blueberries are coming back after winter damage. Strawberries are good this year. Hay is also very good. Rick Kersbergen (Ext), Waldo: Armyworm damage and continued dry weather has made this year a very interesting one. Armyworms have eaten a large percentage of early second crop hay and have done some severe damage to young corn in many areas. Scattered showers have helped, but dry weather will hinder third crop hay if significant rains don't occur soon. Strawberry harvest is coming to an early conclusion. Trudy Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: Strawberry harvest will conclude this week. Yields have been good to excellent. Quality has also been good. Some summer squash, peas and new potatoes harvested this past week. Sweet corn harvest will start this week. Crops are looking good. It was another good week for haying. Armyworms destroyed 25 acres of second crop hay in Lincoln County. Scattered reports of damage. They have been found in sweet corn, but not nearly as severe as in other counties. We should have minimal damage from worms. Received needed rainfall Sunday. David Yarborough (Ext), Washington: Wild Blueberries: Insecticides being sprayed for blueberry fruit fly control. High proportion of blue fruit (20-30%) noted because of warm weather in June. Michael Tardy (FSA), Androscoggin: There is widespread infestation of armyworms. Many farmers report their second crop of grass has been completely devoured by the small critters. There are also reports of damage to the corn crop by the worms. Still too early to tell extent of damage. Parker Rand (FSA), Cumberland/York: The perfect growing conditions seem to favor armyworms, many second crop hay fields are experiencing major problems. Corn can still be sprayed, but grass is gone in some fields leaving some clover and alfalfa. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: We have been invaded! We are suffering our first major armyworm infestation since 1978. Almost all the hay in some hayfields and pastures has been eaten. Some major corn destruction. Thank goodness we had a large first cut. Farmers are trying to harvest ahead of the worms and are spraying. Laura Rand (FSA), Oxford: Producers are busy mowing hay, cultivating, and spraying for insects. Some second crop hay being cut. Reports are being received of armyworms. Peas, summer squash, and strawberries are all being harvested. Apple producers are reporting that the apple crop looks good. MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: Baling and chopping first cutting, chopping second cutting. Sidedressing corn ground with nitrogen. Armyworms arrived! Some infestations of armyworm (pseudaletia unipuncta) in silage corn, alfalfa and grass. One farmer had it sprayed. High wind flattened acres of corn. Kip Graham (FSA), Worcester: Second cutting of hay is looking better if the armyworms don't get to it first. Armyworms seem to be a developing problem in both hay and corn fields. Frank Caruso (Ext), Plymouth: Cranberries: Some beds are out of bloom; fruit is sizing up as usual. Continued good pollination weather. Not much rain over the weekend. Weeds and insects continue to be problematic. Floods have destroyed bloom in numerous beds. Bees will be leaving soon. David Rose (FSA), Bristol: Beginning to harvest sweet corn, a few field tomatoes and some peppers. Harvest of squash and lettuce continues. Hay making continues. Blueberries and raspberries are being picked. Armyworms are causing problems for corn growers and hay producers. We have had many calls this past week concerning this pest. These pesky creatures even made the 6:00 p.m. news. John Devine (FSA), Franklin: Forage producers are monitoring their crops closely for armyworm this week. Hay and alfalfa seem to be the primary target of this pest, but corn acreage has also been affected. Published reports are blaming tropical storm Allison for the infestation. Many farms are harvesting second cut hay and haylage before treating the fields. Other field activities this week included weed control and fungal spraying. Crops seem to be responding well to the heat and humidity, but weather conditions have been strange the season. Hot spells are followed by severe storms then cool and windy conditions. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA), Hampshire/Hampden: Crops are growing well with this week's heat and rain. Cultivating, hoeing, topdressing, fertilizing and spraying protective fungicides. Outbreak of armyworms in some parts of the county. Harvesting summer squash, cabbage, radishes, sweet corn and many other summer vegetables. Gary Guida, Worcester: Weed and insect control primary farm work for this week. Cucumber, squash and Colorado Potato Beetle appearing in fields AGAIN. Harvesting a wide array of summer produce. Imported corn still good quality, but bedding plants and perennials are still in high demand by consumers and are leading in sales. Some producers renovating strawberry fields while we are fitting field for new plants. NEW HAMPSHIRE - Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: Still good haying weather, occasional heavy showers encouraging growth in hay, corn and other crops. Some nitrogen top dress on corn will probably occur during week. Manure on hay. Early vegetables and strawberries available at farm stands and markets. Early sweet corn starting to tassel. Armyworms present in various locations throughout county in still standing hay, some are moving from grassy fields into edges of corn fields. Observed some incredible numbers on regrowth of earlier cut hayland (nearly all grass consumed on new growth), on clovers as well, in a few locations. So far heaviest number in southern part of Coos. Farmers evaluating control options on cornfield edges. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: Fruits: Strawberry harvest starting to wind down (95% harvest), raspberry harvest has started. Blueberries starting to turn blue; the start of harvest is around the corner. Orchardists busy monitoring for pests, spraying and mowing orchard floor. Tree training young trees. Vegetables: Growers continued harvesting early season vegetables such as: lettuce, greens, radishes, peas and summer squash. Growers busy trying to sidedress fields with fertilizer, cultivating, mowing weeds, scouting for pests and spraying. Disease pressure continues to concern growers. Field Crops: Common armyworm damage seen in many hay fields across the county. Farmers continued to bale hay or make haylage at a faster rate. Grass hay is maturing rapidly between showers. Sidedressing fertilizer to field corn and harvested hayfields. David Seavey (Ext), Merrimack: Strawberries and raspberries being harvested. Blueberries starting to show color. Farmers cutting hay and spot spraying perennial weeds. Hayfields are sprayed for armyworms. Damage from armyworm also reported in field and sweet corn and home lawns. Diseases beginning to appear as early vegetables are maturing. Some early sweet corn varieties were harvested along with summer squash, radishes, broccoli and lettuce. Some apple scab is reported, but less than last year. Weather conditions this year have favored vegetable production. Timely rainfall and warm weather is mostly responsible. Nada Haddad (Ext), Rockingham: Good weather for picking raspberries and blueberries. Strawberry harvest is done. Some strawberry beds being renovated. Harvesting vegetables and sweet corn planted under plastic. Weeding, irrigating and monitoring pest in vegetable fields and orchards. Some field corn devastated by armyworms was replanted. Lawns are being infested by armyworms. Lily leaf beetles devastating lily fields. Had very heavy, strong showers on Tuesday afternoon and rain on Sunday morning. RHODE ISLAND - Karen Menezes (Ext), Newport: Farmers on the lookout for armyworm, some reports in other parts of the state have hay producers worried. Spraying for potatoes, both insecticides and fungicides being applied. Harvesting of summer crops beginning. Some second cut hay being done. Sweet corn looking good. Marilu Soileau (FSA), All Counties: Armyworms are marching across the state! Damage reports are coming in daily. Hay & corn are both affected. Rains overnight last week made early morning mowing and harvesting of berries and vegetables difficult. Blueberry harvest has begun. There is plenty of moisture in the ground at this time. VERMONT - John St. Onge (FSA), Lamoille: Armyworms are showing up in good numbers and are helping themselves to good portions of potential second cut grass and young corn plants. They seem to be fairly widespread in Lamoille and Caledonia counties. With the exception of these visitors, crop conditions are quite good. Bill Snow (Ext), Orange: Hard to fill out this report because the phone keeps ringing with concerns about armyworms. At least half of the towns in the area have reported infestations of armyworms. Worst report so far is 25 per square foot and a loss of 60 acres of second cut (hay) on one farm. The list keeps growing. Attacking grass hayland and pasture first, then corn and maybe other crops. Larry Hamel (NRCS), Orleans: Cool weather this past week and many farmers are working on second cut haylage and hay. Farmers are sidedressing corn and spreading manure. Several farms are spraying for armyworm control. About a dozen farms have reported severe armyworm infestations with more farms reporting in each day about damage. Towns of Holland, Morgan, Charleston, Newport, Troy, Craftsbury, Irasburg and Coventry have reported armyworm damage! Lynette Hamilton (FSA), Windham: Look Out! The armyworms are marching across Windham County. Summer squash is being harvested commercially and other summer veggie production has been good this year, with rain falling when needed. George Cook (Ext), Lamoille: Hot, dry weather. Soil moisture is low. Nice hay drying conditions, plenty of excellent hay in barns. Armyworms spotted in Morrisville over the weekend. Jeff Carter (Ext), Addison: Corn crop is growing excellent, some late planted corn still being sprayed and sidedressed with nitrogen. Larger corn is fully shading the ground. Hay crop regrowth is good, still see residual alfalfa stand damage. Some clipping of weeds in newly seeded fields, no harvest yet. Dry hay is of poor quality before baled. Haylage continues with high quality. Pasture regrowth is good. Richard Noel (FSA), Grand Isle/Franklin: Crops still look good. Nitrogen being applied to corn, a lot of second cut haylage being put up a little early because of armyworms, but tonnage is good. Manure being spread on grass ground. Small rain showers on and off, but not enough to stop chopping hay! Early Monday morning shower 0.88 inches in Highgate, only 0.20 inches in St Albans. Ground water not as good as you might think, crops are sucking up all the moisture! No shortages yet, but no excess either! Dennis Kauppila (Ext), Caledonia: Starting to get pretty dry. Only a half-inch of rain early in the week, plus some scattered light showers. Not as hot as it has been either. Armyworm problems surfaced, they took the second cut of hay in some fields. Some damage in corn fields. Sounds like a problem in a number of scattered areas. 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: Emily McAllister, Robin Helrich Deputy: David Luckenbach 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 ***********************