Farmers Report Mixed Conditions Across New York

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The past week started out with seasonable temperatures, however theheat and humidity increased with 90 degree plus readings by the endof the week. That's according to the New York field office of theUSDA's National Ag Statistics Service.

A slow moving cold front moved across the state Sunday into Mondayeventually becoming stationary just off the coast Monday. Thisfrontal boundary dissipated early in the week as surface highpressure built back in. Another frontal system approached theregion by mid week. The flow aloft became zonal and the frontoscillated over the region and was the focus for convection for therest of the week. Severe storms occurred across western intocentral New York Wednesday and Thursday and across northern andeastern New York and Vermont Friday.

There were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Soil moisture was ratedas 1 percent very short, 18 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and10 percent surplus. The condition of winter wheat was 1 percentpoor, 19 percent fair, 60 percent good, and 20 percent excellent.Oat condition was 1 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 72 percent good,and 14 percent excellent. The condition of the hay was 9 percentpoor, 29 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 14 percent excellent.Dry beans were 97 percent planted behind last year's 99 percent,and behind the five year average of 99 percent.

The first cutting of alfalfa was 97 percent completed compared withthe previous year's 100 percent, and the five year average of 99percent. Ninety percent of the clover-timothy mixed hay was cutbehind last year's 99 percent and behind the five year average of92 percent. Grass silage was 95 percent harvested compared with 99percent last year and the five year average of 95 percent.

The following are comments from across the state: Lewis County hadmost of the second cutting of hay harvested, although humidconditions and unpredictable rain had slowed progress. Clinton andSt. Lawrence Counties had a good week for crop work despite acouple of showers in the area. Winter wheat harvest continued inGenesee County, with farmers trying to get it harvested before itsprouted. Wheat and dry harvest was in full swing in OntarioCounty, but it was challenging with scattered showers throughoutthe week. Winter wheat harvest was underway in Cayuga County andthe corn was developing well. Dry hay was nearly impossible toharvest last week in Cortland County. Some farmers were strugglingto finish first cutting, while others were well into their secondcutting. Also in Cortland County, some hail hit the Harford/Virgilarea. Parts of Madison County were hit with hail and some corn wasshredded. Montgomery and Fulton Counties crops looked good exceptfor the first cutting of hay that producers were still trying totake as dry hay. Corn looked good in Washington County. Some cornand soybean acres were damaged by hail in Steuben County. DutchessCounty crops looked good, but some rain is needed. Most of thesecond cutting of hay was completed in Sullivan County, and someearly signs of European Corn borer were reported

Apples were 24 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 41 percent good and 9percent excellent. Grapes were 4 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 65percent good, and 20 percent excellent. Peaches were 11 percentpoor, 23 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 23 percent excellent.Pears were 4 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 18percent excellent. The Long Island Grape Region reported manyvineyards irrigated the last few weeks due to prolonged warm, dryweather. Potato leafhoppers are lingering in some blocks. Japanesebeetles had been low but building. Berry susceptibility to blackrot, downy and powdery mildew was declining. A serious orchardvirus that has the potential to devastate the local peach cropappears to be spreading in western New York.

Plum Pox Virus was first detected in Niagara County and spread thisyear to Orleans County. Columbia and Greene Counties hail damagedfruit looked good for everything else except fresh market. Theraspberry harvest is coming to a close in Ontario County, while theblueberry harvest has started. In Steuben County, hail damagedblueberries, apples, cherries, and grapes. Parts of Madison Countywere hit with hail again.

Hot, humid weather conditions and scattered thunderstorms acrossthe state left vegetable crops in good condition. Lettuce was 87percent planted with reported conditions of 3 percent poor, 23percent fair, 72 percent good, and 2 percent excellent. Onionconditions were 2 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 78 percent good,and 2 percent excellent. Sweet corn was 98 percent planted withconditions of 2 percent poor, 10 percent fair, 75 percent good and13 percent excellent. Snap Beans were at 94 percent planted,tomatoes were 99 percent planted, and cabbage was 97 percentplanted.

Pasture growth has begun to slow but is still in good condition.Pasture conditions across most of the state were estimated to be ingood condition. Pasture conditions were rated 1 percent very poor,10 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 54 percent good and 10 percentexcellent.

More from this state at:
New York Ag Connection