new-eng-crop-weather State NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER Week ending date 10/06/02 Issue NH-CW4002 Volume 22, Number 24 (issued weekly on the Internet, May - October) October 7, 2002 - 4 pm Agricultural Summary OPTIMUM HARVEST CONDITIONS For the week ending October 6, 2002, there were 5.9 days suitable for field work across New England. Pasture condition was rated as 10% very poor, 23% poor, 44% fair, 21% good, 2% excellent. Frost hit many areas of New England last week, coloring up apples remaining to be picked. Though nights were chilly, daytime temperatures averaged well above normal. Minimal rainfall along with the warm temperatures provided optimum conditions for harvest. Major farm activities included: harvesting silage corn, hay, potatoes, apples, pears, cranberries, and late season vegetables; completing peach and small grain harvests; disking; cleaning up and planting cover crops on harvested fields; and spreading manure. SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------- Soil Rating This Week Last Week Last Year ---------------------------------------------- -- Percent -- Topsoil Moisture Very Short 8 6 6 Short 26 33 45 Adequate 64 57 48 Surplus 2 4 1 Subsoil Moisture Very Short 16 28 27 Short 39 32 28 Adequate 44 37 44 Surplus 1 3 1 ---------------------------------------------- Field Crops Report Silage corn harvest progressed rapidly due to the lightness of this year's crop, advancing from 50 to 75 percent harvested in one week. Second crop hay harvest continues to dwell on the edge of completion, while harvest of the third crop jumped ahead ten percent compared with a week ago. Maine's oat and barley harvests are complete, with this year's crops rated as good to excellent. Potato farmers in Maine took advantage of the good weather last week and moved harvest into high gear. Crop specialists reported fall potatoes 80 percent dug by week's end, pulling ahead of normal schedules. Crop quality remains good to excellent, however yields expected to be off due to small tuber size. Massachusetts potato harvest is behind normal, while Rhode Island farmers are in line with normal schedules. Tobacco growers in the Connecticut River Valley continued to take advantage of damp conditions to take down tobacco and bundle it for sale. Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report FRUIT: Apple and pear harvest was active during last week's nice picking conditions, though harvest progress is behind normal for both crops. Frost in many locations across New England added color to apples still on the tree; yield could be off this year due to poor spring conditions. Peach harvest was complete by week's end. Massachusetts' cranberry growers continued with harvest, finding small berry size and more cases of fruit rot than normal. Last week's above average temperatures did not help berry quality. VEGETABLES: Vegetables such as beans, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, gourds, kale, lettuce, onions, peppers, pumpkins, squash, spinach, tomatoes, and other fall vegetables continued to be picked last week. Sweet corn harvest is nearly complete, on schedule with normal. In most areas, farm stands, farmers' markets and pick-your-own operations had a busy weekend. Crop Progress Tables FIELD CROP PROGRESS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND -------------------------------------------------------- -- Percent Harvested -- Crop 2002 2001 5-yrAvg Condition -------------------------------------------------------- Barley, ME 100 99 95 Good/Excellent Oats, ME 100 99 95 Good/Excellent Potatoes Maine 80 85 75 Good/Excellent Mass 70 80 85 Good Rhode Isl 90 95 90 Good/Fair Silage Corn 75 85 70 Good/Fair Sweet Corn 99 99 99 Good/Fair Dry Hay Second Cut 99 95 95 Good/Fair Third Cut 90 80 80 Fair --------------------------------------------------------- FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------------------- -- Percent Harvested -- Crop 2002 2001 5-yrAvg Condition ---------------------------------------------------------- Apples 70 75 75 Good/Fair Peaches 100 100 100 Good/Fair Pears 60 90 80 Very Poor/Poor Cranberries,MA 30 45 35 Good/Fair ---------------------------------------------------------- Weather Summary For the week ending Sunday, October 6, 2002 ---------------------------------------------- AIR TEMPERATURES PRECIPITATION STATE LO HI AVG DFN LO HI ---- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- ME 18 83 54 +5 0.00 0.80 NH 25 88 57 +7 0.09 1.80 VT 29 82 57 +7 0.11 0.92 MA 34 86 63 +8 0.00 0.65 RI 44 85 66 +9 0.00 0.07 CT 40 87 64 +8 0.00 1.21 ---------------------------------------------- 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 September 30, 2002 To: Sunday October 6, 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 29 78 54 -1 1931 -204 724 -66 Allagash 21 76 47 +1 1347 +7 449 +126 Augusta_State_A 35 80 59 +7 2336 +277 1015 +269 Bangor_Intl_Arp 29 80 58 +7 2185 +311 902 +280 Barnard 26 79 53 +5 1798 +210 644 +192 Bath 37 78 57 +4 1921 -13 698 +38 Bethel 34 80 55 +4 2042 +199 794 +198 Brassua_Dam 28 76 52 +5 1570 +258 530 +220 Brunswick_ME 37 80 59 +7 2182 +248 887 +227 Caribou_Municip 25 77 52 +5 1674 +231 600 +222 Corinna 30 80 55 +5 1931 +182 701 +161 Danforth 18 78 49 +0 1613 -76 531 +6 Dover-Foxcroft 27 79 52 +3 1621 +33 530 +78 Durham 33 77 55 +2 2080 -119 828 -13 East_Hiram 33 78 56 +5 2013 +179 764 +174 Eustis 27 78 51 +4 1481 +209 469 +186 Frenchville 25 76 52 +6 1544 +204 549 +226 Gray 38 80 60 +8 2429 +522 1089 +452 Greenville_ME 33 78 54 +6 1774 +172 632 +169 Guilford 27 78 52 +4 1547 -41 483 +31 Hollis 34 80 57 +6 2172 +423 892 +360 Houlton 24 79 53 +6 1720 +212 612 +188 Kennebunkport 39 81 58 +3 1954 -400 717 -224 Livermore_Falls 29 83 55 +6 2094 +538 863 +434 Moosehead 23 80 51 +4 1534 +222 489 +179 New_Sharon 29 78 54 +5 2205 +649 932 +503 Patten 26 78 51 +4 1662 +154 584 +160 Portage 28 77 49 +3 1739 +296 643 +265 Portland_ME 41 81 62 +10 2317 +410 977 +340 Rangeley 30 78 51 +5 1526 +286 472 +208 Sebec_Lake 29 79 54 +5 1792 +190 627 +164 Vanceboro 26 78 52 +3 1715 +84 582 +104 Waterville 34 80 56 +3 2139 +4 871 +81 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 39 80 59 +7 2373 +315 1001 +262 Benton 35 77 56 +6 1985 +302 757 +281 Berlin_AG 33 78 54 +5 1901 +217 692 +195 Bethlehem 30 79 53 +4 1744 +67 606 +130 Concord 38 83 62 +10 2605 +547 1201 +462 Diamond_Pond 32 74 51 +5 1342 +229 390 +185 First_Conn_Lake 30 75 51 +6 1330 +217 358 +153 Greenville 36 88 59 +7 2220 +356 927 +342 Keene_AP 37 82 60 +7 2508 +189 1104 +188 Lakeport 43 80 62 +11 2590 +680 1174 +529 Marlow 31 79 56 +3 1875 -221 690 -57 Mount_Washingto 25 53 42 +8 307 +246 14 +14 North_Conway 36 78 57 +7 2348 +454 1031 +398 Otter_Brook_Lk 39 79 59 +5 2318 -1 961 +45 Plymouth 33 80 56 +7 2009 +353 759 +282 Rochester 40 82 59 +6 2521 +298 1136 +284 Weare 39 77 58 +6 2293 +197 954 +207 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 32 79 57 +6 2123 +328 829 +278 Bethel 37 81 57 +7 2233 +528 928 +424 Burlington_Intl 38 80 61 +9 2618 +431 1212 +371 East_Haven 29 80 52 +5 1738 +350 616 +279 Island_Pond 33 78 54 +6 1758 +376 611 +286 Montpelier 36 79 57 +8 2055 +341 786 +274 Morrisville_AG 33 80 55 +6 1848 +141 660 +144 Mount_Mansfield 32 63 50 +7 1084 +368 259 +193 Northfield 38 81 58 +9 2069 +516 787 +365 Pownal 37 79 60 +9 2132 +331 813 +261 Rochester 36 79 58 +8 2069 +364 800 +296 Rutland_AG 37 77 56 +2 2169 -122 867 -31 Sunderland 37 77 59 +6 2050 -141 767 -54 Sutton 36 78 54 +7 1828 +440 650 +313 Townshend_Lake 39 80 59 +7 2378 +208 1000 +177 Union_Vill_Dam 33 82 57 +5 2205 +21 918 +89 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 41 82 61 +10 2487 +626 1073 +475 Boston/Logan_In 52 85 67 +9 3206 +476 1663 +443 Greenfield 41 85 62 +6 2718 +207 1244 +198 New_Bedford 42 83 65 +6 2891 +113 1362 +103 Otis_AFB 46 79 64 +8 2760 +522 1274 +411 Plymouth 42 83 64 +9 2746 +460 1278 +376 Walpole 43 84 63 +9 2839 +558 1355 +462 West_Medway 42 86 64 +10 2876 +595 1376 +483 Chicopee/Westov 41 86 64 +7 2995 +103 1479 +139 Worcester 48 79 63 +9 2636 +505 1203 +420 Worthington 34 81 59 +7 2202 +353 884 +309 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 49 85 68 +10 3213 +614 1665 +538 Woonsocket 44 85 64 +11 2830 +585 1337 +491 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 41 81 61 +4 2507 -253 1077 -168 Bridgeport/Siko 50 83 68 +9 3269 +447 1697 +383 Hartford/Bradle 43 87 66 +10 3208 +457 1648 +411 Norfolk 40 79 61 +10 2495 +655 1067 +494 Norwich 44 84 64 +8 2988 +397 1465 +362 Thomaston_Dam 41 82 62 +8 2758 +519 1257 +416 Willimantic 42 84 64 +10 2866 +579 1360 +486 1-WEEK PRECIP 4-WEEK CUM PRECIP ------------- ----------------- TOTAL TOTAL STATION INCHES DFN DAYS INCHES DFN DAYS ------- ----- ---- --- ----- ---- --- MAINE Albion 0.29 -0.50 3 3.58 +0.53 9 Allagash 0.05 -0.72 1 2.85 -0.45 11 Augusta_State_A 0.28 -0.49 3 3.31 +0.34 10 Bangor_Intl_Arp 0.43 -0.31 4 3.86 +0.72 11 Barnard 0.42 -0.43 4 4.91 +1.33 13 Bath 0.40 -0.33 3 4.20 +1.37 8 Bethel 0.80 +0.03 2 3.12 +0.04 8 Brassua_Dam 0.16 -0.61 3 3.65 +0.34 12 Brunswick_ME 0.30 -0.43 3 5.76 +2.93 10 Caribou_Municip 0.46 -0.24 5 3.05 -0.03 17 Corinna 0.54 -0.23 2 4.75 +1.47 6 Danforth 0.32 -0.45 5 4.81 +1.58 14 Dover-Foxcroft 0.64 -0.21 3 2.87 -0.71 11 Durham 0.33 -0.44 3 4.36 +1.47 9 East_Hiram 0.48 -0.31 3 5.12 +2.18 10 Eustis 0.10 -0.58 2 4.15 +1.36 11 Frenchville 0.33 -0.44 3 3.18 -0.12 15 Gray 0.37 -0.40 3 5.30 +2.35 9 Greenville_ME 0.35 -0.50 3 4.67 +1.09 12 Guilford 0.45 -0.40 4 5.84 +2.26 14 Hollis 0.26 -0.52 3 4.29 +1.20 10 Houlton 0.37 -0.37 5 4.97 +1.77 13 Kennebunkport 0.24 -0.53 5 4.53 +1.57 12 Livermore_Falls 0.56 -0.24 4 3.73 +0.47 10 Moosehead 0.18 -0.59 4 4.68 +1.37 13 New_Sharon 0.40 -0.40 3 3.67 +0.41 9 Patten 0.58 -0.16 4 4.41 +1.21 13 Portage 0.41 -0.29 4 3.48 +0.40 15 Portland_ME 0.48 -0.29 4 3.53 +0.58 12 Rangeley 0.28 -0.36 3 3.69 +0.94 13 Sebec_Lake 0.42 -0.43 3 4.64 +1.06 11 Vanceboro 0.36 -0.43 3 4.53 +1.03 11 Waterville 0.32 -0.47 4 3.64 +0.59 11 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 0.34 -0.34 2 3.73 +1.14 9 Benton 0.42 -0.28 4 4.19 +1.33 11 Berlin_AG 0.50 -0.26 3 4.14 +1.16 9 Bethlehem 0.63 -0.07 4 4.73 +1.88 12 Concord 0.23 -0.45 4 3.60 +1.01 11 Diamond_Pond 0.28 -0.56 6 4.97 +1.41 17 First_Conn_Lake 0.28 -0.56 5 5.71 +2.15 12 Greenville 0.12 -0.62 1 3.28 +0.41 6 Keene_AP 0.14 -0.55 1 3.63 +0.91 7 Lakeport 0.33 -0.37 3 3.97 +1.23 9 Marlow 0.59 -0.18 5 3.65 +0.57 10 Mount_Washingto 1.80 +0.30 5 7.69 +1.14 13 North_Conway 0.42 -0.42 2 3.31 +0.11 8 Otter_Brook_Lk 0.26 -0.43 3 4.04 +1.32 10 Plymouth 0.76 -0.01 3 4.24 +1.34 10 Rochester 0.47 -0.36 2 2.76 -0.30 8 Weare 0.29 -0.48 2 2.91 -0.17 7 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 0.88 +0.05 3 4.52 +1.07 12 Bethel 0.21 -0.63 3 5.33 +1.90 9 Burlington_Intl 0.29 -0.37 4 6.64 +3.74 12 East_Haven 0.32 -0.38 4 5.48 +2.48 12 Island_Pond 0.43 -0.27 4 7.17 +4.22 14 Montpelier 0.28 -0.35 3 4.22 +1.65 14 Morrisville_AG 0.31 -0.40 5 6.60 +3.51 14 Mount_Mansfield 0.73 -0.50 5 12.62 +7.21 16 Northfield 0.45 -0.25 2 4.37 +1.47 10 Pownal 0.43 -0.40 3 5.96 +2.51 10 Rochester 0.47 -0.37 3 6.84 +3.41 10 Rutland_AG 0.48 -0.22 5 4.72 +1.60 11 Sunderland 0.35 -0.35 4 3.58 +0.51 11 Sutton 0.41 -0.29 4 5.62 +2.62 13 Townshend_Lake 0.33 -0.37 5 3.75 +0.82 10 Union_Vill_Dam 0.66 -0.08 4 5.05 +2.00 12 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 0.27 -0.43 2 3.24 +0.52 9 Boston/Logan_In 0.05 -0.65 2 2.18 -0.62 8 Greenfield 0.29 -0.48 3 3.01 -0.11 9 New_Bedford 0.02 -0.68 1 3.07 +0.07 9 Otis_AFB 0.04 -0.79 1 4.94 +1.73 8 Plymouth 0.03 -0.88 3 2.23 -1.53 11 Walpole 0.20 -0.64 3 3.79 +0.40 9 West_Medway 0.63 -0.21 3 3.24 -0.15 8 Chicopee/Westov 0.32 -0.46 3 3.20 -0.03 9 Worcester 0.36 -0.59 3 3.74 -0.04 9 Worthington 0.57 -0.24 3 3.58 +0.25 11 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 0.07 -0.70 2 4.06 +0.88 8 Woonsocket 0.03 -0.81 2 3.32 -0.15 8 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 0.27 -0.57 2 2.56 -0.91 7 Bridgeport/Siko 0.06 -0.64 2 3.45 +0.59 8 Hartford/Bradle 0.13 -0.71 1 2.50 -0.97 6 Norfolk 0.21 -0.68 3 3.56 -0.18 9 Norwich 0.10 -0.76 2 5.34 +1.78 8 Thomaston_Dam 0.27 -0.63 2 2.46 -1.21 8 Willimantic 0.11 -0.80 2 3.74 +0.08 7 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: Field corn harvest is going very well. We have had some rain, but not enough to slow the harvest. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: Heavy rain overnight settled dust and brightened apples in the orchard. Lots of picking activity. Chrysanthemums nearly sold out. People are enjoying a day at the orchard with hay rides, festive fall decorations to bring home. Field corn chopping was intense and looks to begin winding down, while rye cover crop is rapidly carpeting the working landscape. Nancy Welsh/Karen Lockman (FSA), New Haven: Weather has fluctuated from warm and very humid with heavy rains to cool and windy. Producers tried to get in last of produce before heavy rains came. Good weekend for farm stands - they were crowded. Richard Meinert (Ext), CT Cooperative: Corn silage harvest is over, only a few late planted fields left standing. Pastures are finally making some recovery with cooler, wetter weather - but not nearly normal for this time of year. MAINE - Marvin Hedstrom, Northern Aroostook: Potatoes: Some growers finished harvesting potatoes, others should be completed if fair weather continues. Weather has been very cooperative during this harvest. Growers who have finished harvest have begun rock picking, fall tillage, etc. Crop quality is very good. Weather has been good for cooling potato storages with low nighttime temperatures. Pam Hickey (Ext), Central Aroostook: Potato farmers are continuing to get their crop out of the ground. If the weather cooperates, most farmers should be done harvesting by Friday or Saturday (10/11-12). The weather has been great for harvest so far. We have had a few frosty mornings for a late start, but harvest is going great. Crop looks excellent. Yield is down somewhat. Albert Dow (NRCS), Piscataquis: The heavy rain was welcomed for the ground water and for growing plants, but has made a challenge for potato harvesters with the mud coming up with the potatoes. Trudy Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: Finishing up harvesting silage corn, pumpkins and squash. Fall land preparations underway. Reports are winter squash crop is off by about 50 - 60 percent due to wet June and dry August. Michael Tardy (FSA), Androscoggin: Apple producers are looking for some cool nights to enhance their crop. Other crop growers want the frost to stay away and stretch out the season. Many silage corn producers are reporting a poor crop with little or no ears. A few have been in and have stated that the crop couldn't be much better. We all made it through another season. We are still concerned about drought and the effect on wells, irrigation and livestock water supplies. Every drop of rain helps. Parker Rand (FSA), Cumberland/York: The first scattered frost was reported last week. Still harvesting silage corn, sweet corn is about done. There was decent weather last weekend for U-pick apples, squash and pumpkins and a little third crop hay being harvested. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: Silage corn yields were down on excessively well and very well drained soils. Grain corn harvest is getting underway. Ground water is still short. Laura Rand (FSA), Oxford: Had some real, wet rain during the first part of the week. The grass is beginning to turn green again and fields and pastures are being restored in time for winter! Frost was received in most parts of the county and the leaves are beginning to show fall colors. Silage harvest and potato harvest still underway, while others are spreading manure to make sure the pit is empty before winter. MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: Chopping is nearly done, a few looking for a place to pile it. Finishing the hay crop harvest. Fruits are smaller than normal, very poor crop. Nearly 0.5 inches rain. Lawn starting to grow like in early summer, mowing every 5 to 7 days. Very heavy dews. Paul Russell (FSA), Southeast Massachusetts: Cranberry harvest continues, fruit is small and yields continue to be below expectations. Shellfish growers continue to harvest quahogs and oysters with excellent growth, however the market continues to be soft. Vegetable growers are cleaning up fields, planting cover crops. Corn growers are opening up fields, however the are waiting for a frost . Growers continue to make third cutting of alfalfa with low yields but excellent quality. Kip Graham (FSA), Worcester: Harvesting vegetables coming to a close. Farmers out there are trying to beat the frost and cold snaps. Corn still in full swing being chopped. The haying season is just about over. However, there are still some fields waiting to be hayed. Frank Caruso (Ext), Plymouth: Cranberries: Harvest continues with disappointing yields and rot levels more than expected, although poor keeping quality was predicted earlier this year. The nights and days have been warmer than usual, something that hasn't helped quality. David Rose (FSA), Bristol: The season is just about over. Farmers are finishing up fall crops. Silage chopping is progressing, some of it is very good but most of it poor. A good weekend for corn maize and hay ride activity. John Devine (FSA), Franklin: Harvesting is about to conclude for most fall crops. Dairy farmers are reporting better-than-average yields on silage corn. The same is true on most potato acreage, especially on irrigated fields. Near perfect weather conditions allowed the harvest to go at a record pace. Many farms have started to "take down" tobacco for the final stripping process. Farmers are reporting that this year's crop appears to be very high quality. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA), Hampshire/Hampden: No killing frost yet! A few rainy days caused tobacco to dampen, so growers could take down to bundle for sale. Winter squash harvest is complete and growers are still harvesting potatoes, cabbage, spinach, apples and other fall crops. All yields are down slightly due to summer drought. Gary Guida, Worcester: Chopping corn and seeding down are major farm activities in this area. Still picking tomatoes, eggplant and peppers. Not much second cut of hay around these parts as hay is still short. Good retail week at farm stands as weather was perfect for pumpkin and fall decoration sales. Next weekend traditionally for "big" pumpkin sales. Still no water in well. NEW HAMPSHIRE - Tina Savage (Ext), Carroll: Mild temperatures and a little moisture have extended the growing season. Pastures are greener than they've been since June. Corn silage harvest continues, some fourth cutting alfalfa. Fall foliage finally coming on. Good-bye summer 2002! Carl Majewski (Ext), Cheshire: Generally decent cropping weather for most of the week. Hay, haylage, and silage corn harvest continued. Farmers spreading winter rye on harvested land. Apple harvest & PYO still going strong. Most vegetable crops are done producing for this season. Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: Silage corn harvest continues at a good pace, most farms with smaller acreage about done. Harder frost this week - some unharvested corn affected, especially in northern part of county. Pastures quite green and providing some grazing. A little haying being done, but is hard to dry. Sweet corn, pumpkins, winter squash and some other veggies still available. Quite a run of warm, sunny weather so far this fall. Nice foliage color through much of the county. Tom Buob (Ext), Grafton: Corn harvest continues at a rapid pace. Showers on and off, but still dry. Regrowth on alfalfa grass mixes looks good. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: Fruit: Pick-your-own apple and farm stand operations had a wonderful weekend. Apple harvest is in full swing with most growers concentrating on last picking McIntosh and Cortland. Continue harvesting varieties like Red Delicious, Macoun, Empire, etc. Fruit size is excellent, but bruising can be a problem. Vegetables: Good demand for all vegetable continues. Although most warm season vegetables have been harvested, some warm season vegetables like tomatoes and peppers continues. Harvesting cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts, lettuce, winter squash and pumpkins. Farmers kept busy disking, cleaning up and planting cover crops on harvested fields. Field Crops: Field corn harvest in full swing. Cover crops were being planted in harvested fields. David Seavey (Ext), Merrimack: Silage corn harvest moving at full speed. Tomatoes, cukes, summer and winter squash and other vegetables harvested under fall conditions of no frost. Some fields were seeded to winter rye. Field clean up continues. Ear size of silage corn is very small or nonexistent due to drought conditions at tassel time! Apple yield is down due to early cold spring temperatures and summer drought conditions. Pam Marvin (FSA), Sullivan: Winter rye starting to come up with the timing of the rain showers. A full day of rain again last Friday further helped the water supplies and greened up pastures. The pumpkin crop yield looks very good this year with various sizes and great color. Most of the silage corn crop has been harvested with scattered fields yet to be done. Geoffrey Njue (Ext), Strafford: Rain showers continued last week. This helped the drought situation, but more is needed. Farmers continued with fall clean up and planting of cover crops. Many late vegetable harvests are coming to an end. Fruit growers continued with harvesting of late apple varieties. Harvesting of pumpkins is all over but harvesting of sweet corn continued through the week. Farm stands and garden centers were busy with fall sales. Mum sales, however, have been slow probably due the warm weather we have been experiencing. RHODE ISLAND - Karen Menezes (Ext), Newport: Harvesting of field corn continues, most are whipping through the fields due to light crop. Some rain has helped the farm ponds fill up, but the soil still needs some rejuvenation. Still harvesting tomatoes and sweet corn along with peppers and some beans. Pumpkins, gourds, winter squashes and cabbage are in. Cover cropping fields. Marilu Soileau (FSA), All Counties: Hay rides are as popular as ever. It was unseasonably warm on Saturday decreasing tourist activities at the farms. Last week orchards were harvesting apples. Winter squash was coming in. Corn was being chopped for silage. Pick your own pumpkins were out in abundance. Chrysanthemum sales were fantastic! School field trips were also very popular this week. VERMONT - John St. Onge (FSA), Lamoille: Harvest conditions remained very favorable last week. Still no widespread killing frost in our area. Corn silage harvest winding down for most farmers. Some third or fourth cut grass left to be cut. Bill Snow (Ext), Orange: Slow harvest of corn silage due to slow dry down of corn in this area. Ears are fully dented but stalks are still very high in moisture. One report of silage cut early was only 22% dry matter. Another farm reported 28% dry matter last week. Dave Blodgett (NRCS), Orleans: The majority of corn silage has been cut. Reports in say the yield is below average but the grain content is high. Most producers seem to be pleased with the crop. Many producers are spreading manure to empty their storages for winter. We still haven't had a killing frost in the county. Some of the cold spots have had a couple of light frosts but most of the county is still frost free. Lynette Hamilton (FSA), Windham: Corn silage harvest is just about finished with some picking corn left. Manure spreading and seeding down with rye is just about complete. Most all apples have been picked along with all winter squash. Foliage this year is about two weeks late, color is still green and no frost. Richard Noel, Franklin/Grand Isle: Only some weak showers and high winds this week. Moisture level in soil isn't all that great. Crops still sucking up some of the moisture. Alfalfa is almost a foot tall after third cutting in some areas. The early July planted 76 day corn is in the dough stage and ready to chop. The heat we had last week was greatly appreciated. Field work is going very well and a lot of ground is being covered with manure and being tilled. Fall looks good so far, geese are starting to move south. Is cold weather not too far away? Dennis Kauppila (Ext), Caledonia: One of the 'finishing up' weeks, trying to finish up haying, trying to finish up chopping corn. About 0.2 inch of rain south of St. Johnsbury, one touch of frost during the week, very extended growing season. Chris Benedict (Ext), Chittenden: This past week we had practically prime weather. Good temperatures with adequate moisture for the apples. A bit windy, which did cause some drops, but overall a good picking week.Sherwin Williams, Rutland: All fields except squash and pumpkins have been seeded to winter rye. First fields seeded have become a real lush growth. Weather has been warm and enough moisture for good germination. This week's 1.564 inches of rain has helped a lot to finish crops. Potatoes all dug, good average crop. Two more days of sweet corn, on the market 75 days. Cutting and putting squash and pumpkins in storage. Lots of nice winter cabbage and fall decorations from the garden. Have a good week. Reporters are from: Extension Service (Ext), Farm Service Agency(FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), or other knowledgeable individuals. SEPTEMBER 2002 CROP WEATHER SUMMARY: Above normal temperatures prevailed in September throughout New England. Parched soils received much needed moisture, but unfortunately the rain arrived too late to help most crops already affected by the drought- like conditions. Second crop hay harvest was nearly complete by month's end; growers cutting a third crop had 20 percent left to harvest. Silage corn remained in good to fair condition throughout September with harvest at the half-way mark by the end of the month. Potato harvest in both Maine and Massachusetts was slightly behind normal as October approached. Maine potato growers reported below average tuber size due to lack of rain, and some farmers delayed topkill to allow rain to improve size before harvest. Maine oat and barley harvest was ahead of normal as of the 29th and was rated in good to excellent condition by crop specialists. Broadleaf tobacco harvest was complete by mid-month and shade tobacco harvest had wrapped up by month's end. Peach harvest was nearly complete the last week in September, on schedule with last year and normal. Apple harvest was also on schedule, with 60 percent harvested as of the 29th. Pear condition remained very poor throughout the month, and half of the crop remained to be harvested. Growers completed the harvest of highbush blueberries by mid-month. Fifteen percent of Massachusetts cranberries were harvested by the end of the month. Berry size was reported as small, and some losses are expected due to damage from fruit rot. 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 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 ***********************