State NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER Week ending date 06/23/02 Issue NH-CW2502 Volume 22, Number 9 (issued weekly on the Internet, May - October) June 24, 2002 - 4 pm Agricultural Summary FIELD ACTIVITIES PROGRESS WITH IMPROVED WEATHER For the week ending June 23, 2002, there were 5.1 days suitable for field work across New England. Pasture condition was rated as 0% very poor, 1% poor, 12% fair, 65% good, 22% excellent. Temperatures finally began to warm up in the six-state region last week, particularly near week's end, and planting neared completion for most crops. Cool, wet conditions earlier in the season caused localized damage to fruit and vegetable crops, and as a result crop growth remains behind schedule. Major farm activities included: planting field corn, vegetables, sweet corn and tobacco; harvesting strawberries and early vegetables; cutting dry hay and chopping haylage; mowing orchards; monitoring for pests and disease; applying fungicides, herbicides and insecticides. SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------- Soil Rating This Week Last Week Last Year ---------------------------------------------- -- Percent -- Topsoil Moisture Very Short 1 0 1 Short 11 7 15 Adequate 55 49 74 Surplus 33 44 10 Subsoil Moisture Very Short 2 0 8 Short 17 17 9 Adequate 75 71 72 Surplus 6 12 11 ---------------------------------------------- Field Crops Report With the arrival of warmer, drier weather last week, hay fields dried out a little and some farmers were able to get out in fields and bale hay. Most farmers still await more days of sunshine and heat in order to make dry hay. Maine oat and barley crops are now completely emerged and conditions for both crops look good. Massachusetts farmers finished planting potatoes last week and most of the crop has already emerged. As of June 23, field corn planting had another ten percent to go before completion, and the crop remained in good to fair condition. Shade tobacco growers tied plants last week, while broadleaf growers hoed and sidedressed fields. Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report FRUIT: New England's strawberry crop was 30 percent harvested at week's end, and growers continued to monitor damage caused by the recent cool, wet conditions. Apple growers are concerned about the lack of sunshine and its effect on this year's crop. Maine wild blueberries progressed to the petal fall stage and bees are being moved out of fields. Massachusetts cranberry growers continue to apply fungicides as they keep an eye out for fruit rot; as of June 23, this year's crop was in the early bloom stage and the fruit set was rated average. VEGETABLES: Planting that had been delayed by earlier rainy conditions progressed during last week's drier weather. Farmers planted sweet corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, squash, peppers and other vegetables. Sweet corn growth sped up with the arrival of warmer temperatures and sunshine. Last week farmers harvested asparagus, tomatoes, beet greens, cucumbers, turnips, spinach, broccoli, summer squash, peas, zucchini, radish, lettuce and rhubarb. Crop Progress Tables FIELD CROP PROGRESS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND -------------------------------------------------------- Crop 2002 2001 5-yr Avg Condition -------------------------------------------------------- -- Percent Emerged -- Barley, ME 100 100 95 Good Oats, ME 100 100 95 Good Potatoes Maine 60 95 85 Excellent/Good Mass 100 100 100 Good Rhode Isl 100 100 99 Good Silage Corn 85 95 90 Good/Fair Sweet Corn 85 85 80 Good/Fair -- Percent Planted -- Silage Corn 90 99 95 Good/Fair Sweet Corn 95 90 90 Good/Fair Tobacco Shade 99 100 100 Good Broadleaf 85 90 85 Good/Fair Dry Hay -- Percent Harvested -- First Cut 50 60 60 Good Second Cut <5 <5 <5 Good/Excellent --------------------------------------------------------- FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------------------- Crop %Harvested Fruit Size Condition ---------------------------------------------------------- Apples -- Avg/B.Avg Fair Peaches -- Avg/B.Avg Fair/Good Pears -- B.Avg/Avg Fair/Poor Blueberries Highbush -- Avg Good/Fair Wild, ME -- Avg Fair Cranberries,MA -- -- Good Strawberries 30 Avg/B.Avg Fair/Good ---------------------------------------------------------- Weather Summary For the week ending Sunday, June 23, 2002 ---------------------------------------------- AIR TEMPERATURES PRECIPITATION STATE LO HI AVG DFN LO HI ---- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- ME 37 90 61 -3 0.00 0.99 NH 33 89 61 -3 0.09 1.21 VT 41 91 63 -1 0.19 1.80 MA 42 87 65 -2 0.00 1.94 RI 48 84 66 -1 0.34 0.36 CT 46 91 67 -1 0.03 1.79 ---------------------------------------------- Copyright 2002: 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 17, 2002 To: Sunday June 23, 2002 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 61 -6 327 -192 47 -72 Allagash 37 86 57 -5 156 -132 31 +4 Augusta_ME 48 86 63 -3 405 -74 88 -12 Bangor 46 86 63 -2 351 -62 60 -12 Barnard 43 86 60 -3 285 -51 44 +2 Bath 45 77 60 -5 302 -105 42 -29 Bethel 45 89 61 -3 355 -73 66 -12 Brassua_Dam 42 86 59 -2 201 -51 27 +8 Brunswick_ME 47 78 61 -4 346 -61 58 -13 Caribou 44 88 61 -2 255 -71 48 +7 Corinna 42 82 58 -6 348 -59 61 -7 Danforth 39 86 60 -4 253 -112 38 -20 Dover-Foxcroft 42 84 60 -3 223 -113 24 -18 Durham 46 85 61 -6 359 -149 71 -46 East_Hiram 44 86 61 -4 385 -42 81 +4 Eustis 42 86 58 -3 211 -44 24 +7 Frenchville 42 85 59 -4 205 -83 42 +15 Gray 49 82 63 -2 419 +27 90 +31 Greenville_ME 46 86 61 -2 274 -73 54 +9 Guilford 41 86 59 -4 221 -115 23 -19 Hollis 44 88 61 -3 421 +37 95 +37 Houlton 41 87 60 -3 286 -48 51 +7 Kennebunkport 46 74 60 -8 327 -227 54 -79 Livermore_Falls 47 88 63 +1 361 +20 73 +28 Moosehead 40 89 59 -3 215 -37 25 +6 New_Sharon 47 90 64 +2 432 +91 103 +58 Patten 44 87 60 -2 219 -115 33 -11 Portage 45 88 61 -2 246 -80 48 +7 Portland_ME 49 79 62 -2 395 +3 69 +10 Rangeley 43 84 58 -2 206 -36 23 +9 Sebec_Lake 43 89 61 -2 283 -64 40 -5 Vanceboro 43 84 60 -3 251 -80 34 -7 Waterville 47 85 62 -5 354 -165 68 -51 NEW HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 47 85 63 -4 491 -18 113 -5 Benton 45 85 61 -2 401 -25 98 +26 Berlin_AG 46 88 62 -2 358 -52 70 -1 Bethlehem 44 86 61 -3 334 -92 65 -8 Concord 44 88 63 -3 580 +71 183 +65 Diamond_Pond 43 81 58 -2 197 -30 27 +18 First_Conn_Lake 44 85 59 +0 198 -29 28 +19 Greenville 40 88 59 -5 445 -14 90 +3 Keene_AP 46 86 65 -3 596 -22 185 +11 Lakeport 47 88 65 -1 538 +77 149 +52 Marlow 40 81 60 -7 397 -148 97 -36 Mt_Washington 33 64 46 +2 11 +11 0 +0 North_Conway 45 89 63 -2 462 -2 124 +27 Otter_Brook_Lk 45 83 62 -6 505 -113 135 -39 Plymouth 43 88 60 -3 391 +2 82 +18 Rochester 47 89 64 -3 537 -24 146 +2 Weare 43 82 62 -4 478 -67 121 -12 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 43 85 61 -3 464 +30 120 +41 Bethel 43 88 63 +1 502 +100 150 +78 Burlington_VT 51 88 66 +0 588 +13 188 +33 East_Haven 43 87 62 +1 342 +30 73 +30 Island_Pond 44 86 61 +0 337 +23 72 +29 Montpelier 47 85 62 -1 451 +29 118 +40 Morrisville_AG 44 86 61 -3 334 -74 63 -13 Mount_Mansfield 41 73 56 +2 184 +58 29 +29 Northfield 45 89 63 +1 446 +85 105 +47 Pownal 45 83 62 -2 474 +34 119 +35 Rochester 45 87 61 -2 414 +12 108 +36 Rutland_AG 46 85 64 -4 485 -141 135 -46 Sunderland 44 84 62 -4 447 -148 112 -46 Sutton 48 85 61 +1 344 +32 71 +28 Townshend_Lake 45 84 63 -4 529 -19 147 +8 Union_Vill_Dam 45 90 63 -4 466 -97 129 -17 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 46 83 63 -2 541 +98 147 +62 Boston 50 85 66 -3 734 +52 239 +44 Greenfield 50 87 67 -2 645 -27 201 +3 New_Bedford 50 82 65 -4 655 -14 169 -12 Otis_AFB 52 79 65 -1 568 +95 126 +30 Plymouth 49 83 65 -3 597 +85 161 +43 Walpole 49 84 67 +0 661 +96 212 +71 West_Medway 49 86 67 +1 686 +121 221 +80 Westover 50 84 67 -4 768 -34 279 +13 Worcester 52 81 65 +0 581 +72 173 +61 Worthington 45 83 63 -1 492 +49 138 +54 RHODE ISLAND Providence 53 84 68 -1 728 +101 228 +57 Woonsocket 48 82 66 +0 662 +105 210 +83 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 46 89 65 -5 616 -151 192 -61 Bridgeport 56 87 69 +1 784 +90 261 +49 Hartford_AP 50 86 69 -2 826 +66 308 +58 Norfolk 46 83 65 +2 590 +151 175 +94 Norwich 51 91 68 +0 713 +34 233 +37 Thomaston_Dam 46 90 67 +1 705 +132 237 +96 Willimantic 50 88 66 -1 702 +121 233 +89 1-WEEK PRECIP 4-WEEK CUM PRECIP ------------- ----------------- TOTAL TOTAL STATION INCHES DFN DAYS INCHES DFN DAYS ------- ------ ---- --- ----- ---- --- MAINE Albion 0.00 -0.84 0 3.23 -0.13 11 Allagash 0.35 -0.40 3 1.39 -1.46 11 Augusta_ME 0.04 -0.73 3 3.65 +0.49 13 Bangor 0.02 -0.75 2 3.07 -0.05 13 Barnard 0.00 -0.88 0 2.58 -0.87 11 Bath 0.13 -0.71 1 4.68 +1.27 13 Bethel 0.08 -0.83 2 5.07 +1.41 12 Brassua_Dam 0.51 -0.40 2 4.15 +0.60 12 Brunswick_ME 0.16 -0.68 1 5.46 +2.05 13 Caribou 0.61 -0.09 3 1.80 -0.87 15 Corinna 0.00 -0.84 0 2.70 -0.66 9 Danforth 0.18 -0.66 3 2.94 -0.43 11 Dover-Foxcroft 0.07 -0.81 1 1.78 -1.67 12 Durham 0.10 -0.76 2 4.57 +1.14 13 East_Hiram 0.22 -0.68 2 4.13 +0.57 13 Eustis 0.28 -0.49 4 4.11 +1.03 14 Frenchville 0.48 -0.27 3 2.71 -0.14 14 Gray 0.17 -0.62 3 4.29 +1.07 13 Greenville_ME 0.54 -0.34 2 3.35 -0.10 15 Guilford 0.03 -0.85 2 3.12 -0.33 15 Hollis 0.46 -0.38 3 4.33 +0.91 15 Houlton 0.28 -0.49 2 2.70 -0.38 13 Kennebunkport 0.75 -0.09 3 5.85 +2.39 16 Livermore_Falls 0.99 +0.01 2 5.05 +1.20 12 Moosehead 0.21 -0.70 1 3.11 -0.44 10 New_Sharon 0.28 -0.70 3 3.97 +0.12 13 Patten 0.52 -0.25 2 3.19 +0.11 14 Portage 0.28 -0.42 2 1.98 -0.69 12 Portland_ME 0.22 -0.57 4 4.53 +1.31 15 Rangeley 0.23 -0.63 3 4.72 +1.31 15 Sebec_Lake 0.00 -0.88 0 3.04 -0.41 12 Vanceboro 0.25 -0.46 3 2.69 -0.31 13 Waterville 0.04 -0.80 1 3.10 -0.26 11 NEW HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 0.71 -0.06 3 5.22 +2.23 18 Benton 0.64 -0.25 4 4.75 +1.22 18 Berlin_AG 0.09 -0.89 1 7.58 +3.79 12 Bethlehem 0.48 -0.50 4 5.64 +1.96 18 Concord 1.09 +0.32 4 4.92 +1.93 18 Diamond_Pond 0.54 -0.58 4 7.95 +3.71 16 First_Conn_Lake 0.50 -0.62 3 5.52 +1.28 14 Greenville 0.80 -0.04 4 5.12 +1.61 15 Keene_AP 0.96 +0.12 2 4.28 +0.89 16 Lakeport 1.03 +0.23 2 4.20 +0.88 12 Marlow 0.77 -0.07 3 4.24 +0.72 17 Mt_Washington 0.63 -1.20 5 9.40 +2.10 19 North_Conway 0.29 -0.62 3 4.73 +1.02 16 Otter_Brook_Lk 1.13 +0.29 3 6.68 +3.29 18 Plymouth 0.64 -0.20 2 2.80 -0.62 12 Rochester 1.10 +0.28 3 6.37 +3.03 17 Weare 1.21 +0.37 3 6.46 +2.94 16 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 1.07 +0.02 3 7.66 +3.39 15 Bethel 1.09 +0.25 3 4.55 +0.94 13 Burlington_VT 1.14 +0.30 4 6.22 +3.04 15 East_Haven 0.19 -0.84 4 7.92 +4.00 16 Island_Pond 0.50 -0.52 5 8.59 +4.65 18 Montpelier 0.74 -0.06 6 5.80 +2.51 18 Morrisville_AG 0.41 -0.57 4 5.74 +2.02 15 Mount_Mansfield 1.44 -0.17 4 9.67 +3.59 16 Northfield 0.68 -0.02 2 4.09 +1.12 10 Pownal 0.70 -0.35 3 7.75 +3.48 18 Rochester 0.97 +0.13 4 5.62 +2.01 15 Rutland_AG 0.30 -0.54 3 4.62 +1.29 14 Sunderland 1.80 +1.03 3 8.95 +5.73 18 Sutton 0.41 -0.62 5 8.23 +4.31 18 Townshend_Lake 0.27 -0.43 3 4.87 +1.88 15 Union_Vill_Dam 0.87 +0.10 4 3.28 +0.18 16 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 0.85 +0.01 3 4.80 +1.47 15 Boston 0.56 -0.14 4 4.42 +1.52 15 Greenfield 0.84 -0.05 3 5.76 +2.14 18 New_Bedford 0.28 -0.56 2 4.88 +1.48 12 Otis_AFB 0.07 -0.69 1 4.17 +1.08 11 Plymouth 0.21 -0.56 2 4.38 +1.10 13 Walpole 0.79 -0.11 3 5.02 +1.59 15 West_Medway 0.67 -0.23 3 4.69 +1.26 13 Westover 0.64 -0.28 4 3.92 +0.06 18 Worcester 1.18 +0.27 3 5.58 +1.89 18 Worthington 1.05 +0.17 4 6.61 +2.93 17 RHODE ISLAND Providence 0.36 -0.41 3 3.61 +0.47 13 Woonsocket 0.34 -0.60 3 4.23 +0.47 12 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 0.05 -0.80 1 7.05 +3.47 12 Bridgeport 0.03 -0.75 1 4.22 +1.00 12 Hartford_AP 0.64 -0.21 3 6.76 +3.18 14 Norfolk 0.64 -0.41 4 6.24 +1.93 15 Norwich 1.79 +1.06 3 5.28 +2.09 11 Thomaston_Dam 0.22 -0.71 2 5.01 +1.14 13 Willimantic 0.26 -0.61 4 4.19 +0.68 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 2002: 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: Hail early in the week ruined early vegetable plants and damaged fruit crops. Excellent haying weather later in the week. Ross Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: Armyworm damage noticed in the Ellington area with some replanting required. Some fields too wet to get in to spray. Planting of broadleaf tobacco continues and cultivation continues. A fair amount of dry hay made at the end of the week; however, some fields are too wet. Field corn starting to grow fast now that the heat has arrived. Marsha Jette (FSA), New London: Late ripening strawberries have been hit by recent heavy thunderstorms. Silage corn, sweet corn and vegetables need warmer weather. First cutting of hay nearing completion between thunderstorms. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: At last, hot days and nights, great growing weather. Scattered thunderstorms still dropping buckets of rain with wind and a bit of hail, fields slick enough to deter spraying and spreading. Some field corn still not up yet, while other fields are looking better than 'knee high by the 4th of July.' Weed control is a concern. Strawberry picking affected by showers and heat, but berries are tasty when you do get them! Nancy Welsh/Karen Lockman (FSA), New Haven: The weather has gone from cool, wet weather to hot and humid. Corn looks good. Wet weather has demolished strawberries. Vegetable growers are struggling with crops. Producers finishing up hay. Richard Meinert (Ext), CT Cooperative: Afternoon showers continue to slow haymaking in spots, while other areas had excellent hay weather toward the end of the week. PSNT testing is in full swing, even the late planted corn is tall enough now. Some concerns with low test results due to rain. MAINE - Pam Hickey (Ext), Central Aroostook: Cultivation of fields is being done, and rock picking and herbicide applications are continuing. The week began and ended in light rain, with the middle part of the week sunny and warm. At the end of the week, fields were at 50 percent emergence. Steve London (Ext), Southern Aroostook: Now that we have had some heat for a few days, the crops are growing well. We are still finding some wireworm in this area. Albert Dow (NRCS), Piscataquis: Farmers are harvesting hay and green chop. Janet King (FSA), Somerset: Corn is coming up and strawberries are gearing up for the 4th. First crop of hay is being harvested. Rick Kersbergen (Ext), Waldo: Some decent weather has allowed for first crop hay to be harvested at a rapid pace. Strawberries will be ready in a week or so if warm weather continues. Lots of cutworm damage on corn silage crops. Trudy Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: Haying continues. A good week for field work. Some insect damage on new-burn blueberry fields in wet areas. David Yarborough (Ext), Washington: Wild Blueberries: Bees being moved out of the fields this week after an extended pollination period. A very uneven ripening in the crop is expected. Berries are green, it is difficult at this stage to access the extent of the pollination. Michael Tardy (FSA), Androscoggin: What a time we're having. We get the rain, but no heat. We get a teaser day or two of heat, then it cools off and rains. The grass is getting harvested, but everyone is having quite a time. No one can get bales made. The strawberries need some heat and sun. Some market gardeners have had to replant; some items rotted in the ground. Most of the corn looks good. It's out of the ground and is green and healthy. Next week's weather sounds promising. Parker Rand (FSA), Cumberland/York: Finally a few days for haying and a lot was made. Corn, both sweet and silage, is very slow - we need heat. Just starting to see strawberry signs popping up. Harvesting small garden crops, peas, beet greens, broccoli, and zucchini. Cutworm is showing strong in some areas. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: First cut hay is a bumper crop. Farmers now need some dry weather to get some square bales in. Early potato plants and corn are growing well. Sunshine and heat will really promote growth. Laura Rand (FSA), Oxford: Not much sunshine during the first part of the week. Apple growers started to show some concern over the limited amount of sunlight. Potatoes are being cultivated and look good. Producers are busy cutting hay - this week was a good hay week. Reports are being received that the strawberries may be a little late. MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: Corn planting near the end of the week. Field hay cutting going great (baleage, silage and dry hay). The cold weather earlier nearly killed all fruit crops (tree and vine crops). No insect problems yet. For all the rain we've had, most hay ground is somewhat dry. Paul Russell (FSA), Southeast Massachusetts: Weather is starting to feel like summer. Heat is pushing all plants. Sweet corn, field corn and other vegetables are finally growing, cranberries are starting to bloom on schedule. Growers are concerned with the potential for fruit rot and are applying fungicides. Growers have found an insecticide that is controlling cranberry weevil, so all is good right now. Shellfish growers continue harvest with excellent growth and a stable market. Kip Graham (FSA), Worcester: Continuing fungicide applications for tender crops. Added sidedressing of fertilizer to corn and potatoes. First crop of hay finally nearing the end. Second crop rapidly coming into production already. Some areas got a little hail. For the most part, crops are looking good. Seem to be getting a balance of rain and sunshine. Frank Caruso (Ext), Plymouth: Cranberries: Blossoms are everywhere; many early beds will be at full bloom this week. Excellent pollination weather so far. Bee hives still lacking from some beds. First fruit rot applications in place. Cranberry weevil is still a concern. Spruce aphid (not a cranberry pest) is here for the first time and causing significant damage to selected spruces in the area. Damage is so severe that some large spruces may not survive the infestation. David Rose (FSA), Bristol: Finally a week of good weather. Hay was being made everywhere. Crops have started to really grow. Greenhouse tomatoes being harvested, as is lettuce, summer squash, zucchini, peas and rhubarb. Planting and side dressing continues. Spraying for cucumber beetle. John Devine (FSA), Franklin: Weather conditions improved enough for the hay harvest to begin in earnest in Franklin County. All first cut hay is ripening very quickly. The tobacco crops, both shade and broadleaf, are looking much better after getting some warm weather. Broadleaf producers are side-dressing and hoeing, while shade producers are tying the plants. Potatoes are flowering this week and they look great. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA), Hampshire/Hampden: Warm weather finally arrived. A few rain showers and the sun and heat are great for making all crops grow. Harvesting strawberries, radishes, turnips, peas, lettuce and green house tomatoes. Growers are cultivating for weed control and applying fungicides for diseases. Growers are also scouting for the following insects: armyworms, striped cucumber beetles and European Corn Borers. Early sweet corn is in silk stage and early potatoes are flowering and being hilled up. Gary Guida, Worcester: Finally heat! You can hear the crops grow, but along with the heat you get the cucumber beetles. Spraying to control them. Strawberries starting to ripen. Good plant sales at the farm stand once again as perennials start to bloom in profusion, driving customer sales. Rototilling between plastic aisles to control weeds. NEW HAMPSHIRE - Amy Ouellette (Ext), Belknap: Lettuce, spinach, oriental greens, greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers being harvested. Wet weather has made field work difficult. Some hay cut and baled. Pastures are green but muddy in places. Strawberries not quite ready. Botrytis seen on several highbush blueberries due to wet cloudy weather. Bruce Clement (Ext), Cheshire: Rainy, cool weather persists. Farmers getting frustrated with lack of haying weather. Haylage and baleage harvesting continues. Early vegetables coming in: lettuce, spinach, etc. Strawberry harvest just starting. Berry size and yield are down. Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: Cornfields along rivers drying out from flooding, leaving some large patches of dead corn plants where water had collected for several days. Some ponding yet in fields, hayland flood-silted. Timothy heading out, white clover in bloom. Good hay and haylage making weather at end of week and farms keep busy doing so. Cool, wet conditions have us behind this year in corn and vegetable plantings, especially vegetables. Also giving difficulties on applying pesticides. Tom Buob (Ext), Grafton: Rain showers continue to slow hay harvest. Regrowth on alfalfa and grass look good to excellent. Corn continues to grow slowly in cool weather. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: Fruit: Harvesting strawberries during week. Fruit growers monitoring pest and crop development and applying sprays for pest control. Field Crops: Between rain showers, farmers continued trying to make haylage and baled hay, trying to finish planting and weed spraying corn fields. Vegetables: Continued successive plantings. Growers continued harvesting early season vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, other greens, and radishes. Growers busy side dressing fields with fertilizer, hoeing and cultivating weeds, scouting for pests and spraying if needed. David Seavey (Ext), Merrimack: First cut hay delayed due to rainy weather. Strawberries are being harvested but pick-your-own customers are not coming out in the rain. Hayfields are being fertilized after first cut. Vegetable crops are sidedressed. Mowing in orchards continues. Weed spraying in fruit and vegetable crops. Black cutworms a problem on sweet corn. Apple scab and some strawberry fruit rot appearing. Slugs found on strawberries and vegetable crops. Great weather for planting ornamental trees and shrubs. Pasture and hayland seedings look great. Apples and blueberries are sizing well. More heat needed to spur corn growth. Nada Haddad (Ext), Rockingham: Fields are muddy. Some vegetables such as spinach and beets were lost because of the wet fields. Planting and re-planting sweet corn and other vegetables. Sidedressing vegetable fields with fertilizers. Strawberry picking was done between rain showers. Some signs of gray mold in strawberry fields. Hay and haylage being done. Lilly leaf beetles seen in big numbers feeding on plants. Geoffrey Njue (Ext), Strafford: The week ended with heavy rains. The conditions continue to be unfavorable for drying hay. Most vegetable and corn producers were happy with the rising temperatures which will speed up the growth of crops. However, more sunny warm weather is needed. Strawberry growers were hoping for more sunny weather to ripen berries. Nurseries and garden centers were still enjoying good sales. RHODE ISLAND - Marilu Soileau (FSA), All Counties: Scattered rain showers hit various communities with high winds and electrically charged thunder and 'lights.' Hay was harvested between these weather events. In many cases the hay will be good for mulching only! Pastures look good. A few fields that caught repeated rain are too wet to access right now. Vegetable crops are doing well in general. Spraying taking place for poison ivy in orchards as well as fungicide applications almost everywhere. Humidity is up throughout the state. VERMONT - John St. Onge (FSA), Lamoille: Late week hot spell sped up the drying process after the recent wet conditions. Hot weather was particularly timely for corn growth. Good progress was made on first cut, which had fallen behind schedule. Most vegetables have fared relatively well lately, with the exception of lettuce which likes cooler temperatures. Bill Snow (Ext), Orange: Trying to put up dry hay. Round bales more common than square bales. Getting three dry days in a row is difficult this summer. No shortage of rainfall for this year's crops. Dave Blodgett (NRCS), Orleans: Landowners trying to complete first cut hay. Land is very wet at the surface. Many fields have been rutted from the equipment. 90% of hay cut is for haylage or wrapped round bales. Very little dry hay has been harvested to date. All corn has emerged, however some of it looks poor due to the wet and cool conditions. Lynette Hamilton (FSA), Windham: The weather got a little better last week for farmers - they had four days without rain. Farmers are thinking about sidedressing corn. Early cut alfalfa will be ready to cut again by the 4th of July. Jeff Carter (Ext), Addison: Some dry hay baled, more haylage chopped. Little corn planted, some fields prepared to plant. Pastures good with regrowth after rains. Richard Noel, Grand Isle/Franklin: Farmers were just getting back on the land and Sunday brought 0.4 inches of rain! At least 25% of corn still isn't planted and haying hasn't started on many farms. Hopefully this week the last of it will go in the ground. It's pretty late, but maybe that 75-day wonder corn will make it to maturity, but you wonder if it will. Sherwin Williams, Rutland: Early potatoes cultivated and hilled. Sprayed early vine crops for aphids and Striped Beetles. Early corn just about ready for nitrogen. Lambquarters and nutsedge starting in early corn fields. Warm temperatures big boost to vegetables. Half an inch of rain. Still cutting asparagus, should have peas before 4th of July, radishes, scallions in good supply. Also lots of rhubarb. Last three days of sun was a great tonic for plants and humans. 'Have a nice, sunny 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: Emily McAllister, Robin Helrich Stat Assistant: Wayne Colpitt 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 ***********************