January, February , March                                

    The New Year arrived with cold temperatures followed by unseasonably warm temperatures nearing record high readings in the 70's. February was variable with colder temperatures occurring during the first two weeks of the month and unseasonably high temperatures reaching into the mid-seventies during the later part of the month. The spring-like conditions saw precipitation levels between one and two inches above normal for many regions of the state and led to muddy conditions in most areas. The western part of the state saw snow during the second week of February, the only substantial occurrence during the month. Temperatures and precipitation levels were about average for March.
    Small grains were behind schedule due to the late harvesting of previous year's crops. Potato producers were preparing and planting fields by mid-February.     Tobacco growers plowed fields and fumigated plant beds. Greenhouses were prepared for tobacco and vegetable seeding. Mild stretches of weather allowed some peach trees to bud.    Livestock were doing well due to the overall mild winter. Hay quantity was excellent, however, quality was poor because of the increased moisture during the 1996 hay cropping season. Many operators were actively scouting wheat and barley for aphids and cereal leaf beetles. Alfalfa was being sprayed for weevils.
    By the end of March, farmers were actively top dressing small grains with nitrogen. Fields and pastures were being limed and fertilized in preparation for spring plantings. Corn planting was just getting underway in some localities. Most tobacco plantbeds and greenhouses were already seeded. Fruit budding was ahead of schedule, and trees were in the process of being sprayed.

April, May, June

    Gale force winds during the first week of April made outdoor work difficult for many growers. April saw two nights of sub-freezing temperatures that were detrimental to apple and peach trees that had already bloomed. Temperatures during April and May were below average for most of the month with a low of 31 degrees during the first full week in May.
    Vegetable crops were planted and transplanted as field conditions permitted. Corn planting was in full swing and potato planting was nearing completion by mid-April. Alfalfa was being sprayed. Most livestock were fully grazing.
    Corn, cotton and peanut planting was in full swing by mid-May, however in some localities, fields were too dry to plant. Field planting and crop growth were delayed in some southwestern areas due to frost. The dry surface conditions made it necessary to irrigate vegetables and potatoes.
    Cool temperatures during the first weeks of June coupled with near drought conditions during the month, caused many crops in the state to suffer. Planting of cotton was virtually complete by the first week of June, but dry conditions hampered the planting of soybeans and corn. Barley producers reported excellent yields and test weights for most of the crop.
    Warmer weather returned during the middle of June, improving corn condition. The lack of moisture caused planting delays as well as need for irrigation in many localities. Some parts of the state saw much needed rain, however corn, soybeans and cotton were well behind schedule in growth.
    The last week of the month temperatures soared into the mid-nineties, and some areas received long awaited rainfall. Producers continued to harvest wheat and vegetable crops.

July, August, September

     Weather during July remained dry and surface conditions were of special concern to corn and tobacco producers. Crop conditions throughout the State continued to decline due to the dry weather. Corn planted late in the season was especially vulnerable. Some beef producers were marketing cattle earlier than normal due to short supplies of both pastures and hay, and good cattle prices.
    The last week in July saw Hurricane Danny bring tropical rains across the State averaging four to six inches in many localities over a three day period. As welcome as the rains were, it came too late for some corn fields. Soybean planting was completed.
    August was a hot, dry month that brought further decline to crops and pastures. Soybeans were stressed during critical growth stages with double cropped soybeans suffering the most damage. Flue-cured tobacco harvest and marketing were behind schedule but active during the month with over one-fourth of the crop in the barns.     The first week in September brought scattered showers across some localities. However, moisture supply levels as well as crop conditions continued to deteriorate. Vegetable crops were especially hard hit by the unfavorable weather conditions. Corn harvest was slowly gaining momentum but many producers reported poor ear quality and grain fill. Potatoes were an exception, as an excellent quality crop was harvested during near ideal digging conditions. Pasture conditions caused beef producers to look for alternative feed sources as well as alternative water sources as ponds and streams were drying down. Showers during the second week of the month brought much needed rain to most of the State. As moisture levels improved, pastures, late hay, peanuts and cotton saw some relief. Regrettably, the rain was too late for many corn and soybean fields. Some corn and soybean producers plowed under some damaged acreage. Corn silage harvest was running behind last year and the five year average.

October, November, December

    October began with producers delaying field preparations for small grain seeding because of dry weather. Scattered rains during mid-October helped germination of previously planted small grains and offered some pasture relief. By the end of the month, widespread showers brought adequate moisture supplies to most areas of the State. Small grain plantings that were previously delayed by dry conditions were now delayed because of excessive moisture.
     Corn for grain harvest was nearing the halfway mark by the first week of October with 45 percent of the crop harvested. Flue-cured tobacco harvest was behind schedule with only 78 percent of the crop harvested by the first week of October compared to 87 percent the previous year. Pastures were rated in poor to very poor condition over 70 percent of the Commonwealth. Livestock producers were forced to supplement declining pastures with hay. Many producers were concerned about forage supplies for the upcoming winter due to short pastures and reduced hay supplies.
    A pattern of weekend rains throughout the month of November brought wet conditions to most localities across the Commonwealth. The rains caused delays in harvesting of most fall crops. Despite delays, harvest progress was back on schedule for most crops by the end of November. Corn harvest still lagged slightly behind average with 95 percent of the crop combined by the end of the month.
    Soybean harvest was 76 percent complete. Cotton harvest was on schedule at 86 percent complete. Winter wheat was 82 percent seeded. Most of the barley acreage had been seeded by the end of November. Wet and muddy field conditions prevailed during December in most localities. Harvest completion for grain corn, soybeans, and cotton was delayed due to excessive precipitation during parts of the month. Although small grains that were seeded on schedule were reported in mostly fair to good condition, producers were concerned with late-planted small grains which had not emerged by the end of the month. Some earlier seeded fields required replanting and others had thin stands due to weather and field conditions. Producers were also concerned with small grain acreage that couldn't be planted due to late corn and soybean harvests. .