State NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER Week ending date 5/08/05 Issue NH-CW3704 Volume 25, Number 2 (issued weekly on the Internet, May - October) May 9, 2005 - 4 pm -- Agricultural Summary Sunshine and Warmth Needed For the week ending May 8, 2005, there were 4.4 days suitable for field work across New England. Topsoil moisture was rated 51% adequate, 49% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2% short, 54% adequate, and 44% surplus. Pasture condition was rated as 6% very poor, 12% poor, 38% fair, 37% good, and 7% excellent. Although New England saw sunshine for much of the week, temperatures remained below normal for this time of year. Rain throughout the weekend was not welcome, as some areas are still recovering from recent floods. Sunshine and drier weather are needed throughout the region, as field activities were limited and planting was delayed in many areas. Northern pastures are green, but too soft to put animals on. Greenhouses across New England are nearing capacity waiting for better weather to move plants outside. Major farm activities included: planting sweet corn, early vegetables and potatoes, spreading manure, fertilizer and lime, plowing and harrowing fields, pruning trees, fertilizing orchards, applying herbicides and fungicides, working in the greenhouses, and fencing. SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND --------------------------------------------- -- Percent -- Soil Rating This Week Last Week Last Year --------------------------------------------- Topsoil Moisture Very Short 0 0 3 Short 0 0 5 Adequate 51 38 74 Surplus 49 62 18 Subsoil Moisture Very Short 0 0 3 Short 2 2 4 Adequate 54 54 81 Surplus 44 44 12 --------------------------------------------- -- Field Crops Report Cool weather has limited spring work on field crops, especially in northernmost states. Massachusetts and Rhode Island potato planting was well ahead of last year, while wet soils have prevented any planting of potatoes, barley, or oats in Maine. Some field corn was planted on well drained fields. Pastures and hayfields are green and appear to be doing well in most areas. Winterkill on alfalfa was reported in the Upper Connecticut River Valley, but what did survive the winter appears strong. Farmers spent the week spreading manure, fertilizing hay fields, plowing, discing, planting and harrowing fields. -- Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report FRUIT: Cold mornings caused farmers to irrigate strawberries for frost protection. Wild blueberry fields were sprayed with fungicide, and burned for pruning where the ground was not too wet. Cranberry growers in Massachusetts spent the week applying pre-emergent herbicides and cleaning ditches. Tree fruit development in Connecticut was well ahead of the rest of the region. Apple and pear trees were in early to full bloom in Connecticut; elsewhere, apples and pears were in bud stage to early bloom. Connecticut Peach trees were in full bloom to petal fall, while in other states, peaches ranged from dormant to full bloom. Orchard growers spent the week pruning, fertilizing and watching for frost damage. Bees were brought into Southern New England apple orchards by week's end. VEGETABLES: Growers prepared fields by harrowing, liming, fertilizing, discing, and plowing. Planting of early season vegetables continued throughout the week, including peas, carrots, cabbage, parsnips, beets, radishes, spinach, onions, lettuce, greens, potatoes, and cole crops. Sweet corn was planted with and without plastic cover. Vegetable crop emergence is slow due to cold soil temperatures. A mid- week frost hurt asparagus at harvest, causing losses in some areas. -- Crop Progress Tables FIELD CROP PROGRESS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------------- Crop 2005 2004 5-yr Avg Condition ---------------------------------------------------- Barley, ME 0 15 10 -- Oats, ME 0 15 10 -- Potatoes Maine 0 <5 <5 Mass 35 45 45 Good Rhode Isl 75 20 20 Good Silage Corn <5 5 10 Good/Poor Sweet Corn 10 10 15 Good/Fair Tobacco Shade 0 0 0 -- Broadleaf 0 0 0 -- Dry Hay First Cut 0 0 0 -- ---------------------------------------------------- FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ----------------------------------------------------- Crop Stage Fruit Set Condition ----------------------------------------------------- Apples D/EB Avg Good/Fair Peaches D/PF Avg Fair/Good Pears Bud/FB Avg Good Blueberries Highbush D/Bud Avg Good Wild, ME Bud -- Good/Excel Cranberries,MA D/Bud Avg Good Strawberries D/Bud Avg Good ----------------------------------------------------- D - Dormant, EB - Early Bud, PF- Petal Fall -- Weather Summary For the week ending Sunday, May 8, 2005 ---------------------------------------------- AIR TEMPERATURES PRECIPITATION STATE LO HI AVG DFN LO HI ---- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- ME 25 67 45 -4 0.05 2.27 NH 17 67 43 -7 0.09 1.11 VT 24 69 43 -7 0.01 0.40 MA 26 65 47 -6 0.11 2.18 RI 32 63 48 -5 0.46 1.61 CT 27 66 47 -8 0.27 0.80 ---------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -- Weather Information Table For the Period: Monday May 2, 2005 To: Sunday May 8, 2005 AIR CUM SINCE MAR 1 TEMPERATURE GROWING DEGREE DAYS ----------- BASE-50F BASE-60F STATION LO HI AVG DFN TOT DFN TOT DFN ------- -- -- -- -- --- ---- --- ---- MAINE Albion 30 62 45 -7 17 -22 0 +0 Allagash 25 67 43 -3 0 -7 0 +0 Augusta_State_A 35 61 47 -4 33 +1 1 +1 Bangor_Intl_Arp 33 61 48 -2 40 +20 0 +0 Barnard 30 63 45 -3 11 -3 0 +0 Bath 29 60 44 -6 13 -5 0 +0 Bethel 29 62 43 -7 10 -13 0 +0 Brassua_Dam 26 62 42 -3 0 -4 0 +0 Brunswick_ME 31 65 46 -5 22 +4 0 +0 Caribou_Municip 30 64 46 -1 17 +3 0 +0 Corinna 32 62 45 -5 21 +0 0 +0 Danforth 30 63 45 -3 6 -6 0 +0 Dover-Foxcroft 27 61 45 -3 6 -8 0 +0 Durham 30 63 45 -7 11 -21 0 +0 East_Hiram 28 62 43 -7 12 -11 0 +0 Eustis 26 60 41 -5 0 -6 0 +0 Frenchville 33 63 46 +2 8 +1 0 +0 Gray 35 61 47 -3 35 +17 4 +4 Greenville_ME 31 59 44 -5 10 -8 0 +0 Guilford 26 62 43 -6 5 -9 0 +0 Hollis 27 63 44 -6 14 -3 0 +0 Houlton 27 65 45 -3 28 +14 0 +0 Kennebunkport 29 60 45 -9 17 -24 1 +1 Livermore_Falls 28 63 45 -3 11 -3 0 +0 Moosehead 25 62 42 -3 1 -3 0 +0 New_Sharon 30 61 45 -3 15 +1 0 +0 Patten 29 64 45 -3 1 -13 0 +0 Portage 29 64 45 -2 4 -10 0 +0 Portland_ME 32 60 46 -4 32 +14 4 +4 Rangeley 27 59 40 -5 0 -6 0 +0 Sebec_Lake 28 65 45 -3 6 -12 0 +0 Vanceboro 30 63 46 -2 8 -2 0 +0 Waterville 32 61 45 -7 16 -23 0 +0 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 26 64 43 -9 25 -16 0 +0 Benton 27 60 42 -8 11 -26 0 +0 Berlin_AG 30 61 44 -5 7 -22 0 +0 Bethlehem 26 63 43 -8 7 -28 0 +0 Concord 28 63 46 -6 51 +10 6 +6 Diamond_Pond 26 57 41 -3 0 -8 0 +0 First_Conn_Lake 26 58 41 -4 3 -5 0 +0 Greenville 30 62 47 -4 62 +24 6 +6 Keene_AP 27 63 45 -9 51 -13 1 -4 Lakeport 32 64 46 -4 32 +1 0 +0 Marlow 26 67 44 -10 14 -35 0 -2 Mount_Washingto 17 41 25 -6 0 +0 0 +0 North_Conway 28 63 45 -6 12 -19 0 +0 Otter_Brook_Lk 28 63 44 -10 24 -40 1 -4 Plymouth 25 62 43 -7 9 -11 0 +0 Rochester 30 63 46 -7 43 -7 6 +6 Weare 32 62 46 -7 27 -22 1 -1 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 26 62 44 -7 10 -25 0 +0 Bethel 25 65 43 -6 13 -17 0 +0 Burlington_Intl 30 65 47 -6 64 +6 9 +4 East_Haven 24 66 43 -4 13 -2 0 +0 Island_Pond 27 62 43 -4 5 -14 0 +0 Montpelier 26 63 44 -7 39 +4 8 +8 Morrisville_AG 24 64 41 -8 3 -27 0 +0 Mount_Mansfield 24 51 34 -8 0 -2 0 +0 Northfield 25 64 43 -6 12 -12 0 +0 Pownal 29 59 44 -7 31 -8 0 +0 Rochester 27 64 43 -6 14 -16 0 +0 Rutland_AG 28 63 44 -10 19 -57 0 -9 Sunderland 26 61 44 -9 24 -51 0 -6 Sutton 27 62 42 -5 6 -9 0 +0 Townshend_Lake 28 60 44 -8 23 -28 1 -1 Union_Vill_Dam 26 63 44 -9 17 -36 0 -2 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 30 62 46 -5 42 +12 2 +2 Boston/Logan_In 42 63 50 -6 88 +9 9 +9 Greenfield 30 64 47 -9 49 -28 6 +3 New_Bedford 32 60 47 -9 62 -20 3 +3 Otis_AFB 37 64 50 -2 100 +68 9 +9 Plymouth 31 60 46 -6 56 +20 3 +3 Walpole 31 64 48 -5 79 +25 4 +4 West_Medway 32 61 47 -6 52 -2 3 +3 Chicopee/Westov 30 63 47 -10 101 -22 11 +2 Worcester 37 60 46 -6 79 +36 8 +8 Worthington 26 62 44 -6 27 -9 1 +1 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 36 62 49 -6 87 +22 6 +6 Woonsocket 32 63 47 -6 80 +30 6 +6 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 27 63 44 -12 45 -66 5 -4 Bridgeport/Siko 38 63 50 -5 110 +24 8 +3 Hartford/Bradle 30 64 48 -8 117 +14 14 +5 Norfolk 28 59 44 -7 48 +16 4 +4 Norwich 33 64 48 -8 61 -28 6 +0 Thomaston_Dam 32 62 47 -7 61 -2 5 +4 Willimantic 30 62 46 -8 83 +23 7 +7 1-WEEK PRECIP 4-WEEK CUM PRECIP ------------- ----------------- TOTAL TOTAL STATION INCHES DFN DAYS INCHES DFN DAYS ------- ----- ---- --- ----- ---- --- MAINE Albion 1.53 +0.71 4 14.82 +7.20 26 Allagash 0.05 -0.65 1 8.69 +3.09 26 Augusta_State_A 1.12 +0.21 4 13.00 +4.92 24 Bangor_Intl_Arp 0.79 -0.01 2 8.94 +1.48 19 Barnard 0.92 +0.08 4 14.22 +6.67 30 Bath 1.48 +0.63 4 16.00 +6.92 23 Bethel 0.56 -0.28 4 15.31 +7.45 22 Brassua_Dam 0.31 -0.44 5 9.76 +3.13 28 Brunswick_ME 2.27 +1.42 4 18.16 +9.08 21 Caribou_Municip 0.18 -0.50 4 8.88 +3.16 32 Corinna 1.46 +0.62 3 13.20 +5.53 22 Danforth 0.93 +0.09 3 12.05 +5.06 28 Dover-Foxcroft 0.96 +0.12 2 9.93 +2.38 20 Durham 1.27 +0.43 3 17.33 +8.14 23 East_Hiram 0.96 +0.05 4 16.07 +7.36 24 Eustis 0.30 -0.40 3 9.04 +2.26 25 Frenchville 0.13 -0.57 4 6.25 +0.65 30 Gray 1.40 +0.53 4 17.29 +8.42 22 Greenville_ME 0.33 -0.51 5 12.13 +4.58 31 Guilford 1.04 +0.20 3 14.41 +6.86 25 Hollis 1.30 +0.39 4 17.36 +8.32 26 Houlton 1.32 +0.61 4 9.61 +3.87 30 Kennebunkport 1.41 +0.50 3 15.82 +6.92 23 Livermore_Falls 0.82 -0.02 4 13.74 +5.35 24 Moosehead 0.52 -0.23 4 10.11 +3.48 29 New_Sharon 1.10 +0.26 3 15.15 +6.76 22 Patten 0.82 +0.11 2 13.31 +7.57 27 Portage 0.22 -0.46 4 11.22 +5.50 30 Portland_ME 1.17 +0.30 4 14.20 +5.33 25 Rangeley 0.57 -0.09 3 10.15 +4.48 30 Sebec_Lake 1.18 +0.34 3 15.08 +7.53 28 Vanceboro 0.99 +0.15 3 11.92 +3.91 28 Waterville 1.22 +0.40 3 14.87 +7.25 19 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 0.74 +0.04 4 11.65 +5.13 29 Benton 0.53 -0.17 3 7.67 +1.69 27 Berlin_AG 0.37 -0.40 3 9.79 +2.62 22 Bethlehem 0.47 -0.23 4 6.32 +0.06 27 Concord 0.55 -0.15 4 9.67 +3.15 27 Diamond_Pond 0.33 -0.49 4 11.97 +5.14 38 First_Conn_Lake 0.47 -0.35 4 8.54 +1.71 32 Greenville 0.92 +0.08 3 11.11 +3.01 22 Keene_AP 0.23 -0.61 3 11.01 +3.89 25 Lakeport 0.36 -0.41 3 10.05 +2.75 25 Marlow 0.46 -0.45 3 10.26 +1.63 26 Mount_Washingto 1.11 -0.59 5 18.73 -0.67 35 North_Conway 0.38 -0.53 3 11.74 +2.78 26 Otter_Brook_Lk 0.41 -0.43 3 9.42 +2.30 25 Plymouth 0.09 -0.78 2 8.62 +0.95 20 Rochester 0.85 -0.08 4 14.06 +4.77 24 Weare 1.04 +0.13 2 13.36 +4.73 25 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 0.28 -0.75 3 9.62 +0.14 24 Bethel 0.12 -0.86 3 8.96 +0.86 25 Burlington_Intl 0.16 -0.53 3 5.28 -0.55 25 East_Haven 0.40 -0.36 4 7.29 +0.71 34 Island_Pond 0.27 -0.48 4 6.97 +1.01 31 Montpelier 0.13 -0.54 4 7.25 +1.67 30 Morrisville_AG 0.09 -0.68 2 7.98 +0.91 29 Mount_Mansfield 0.31 -0.92 2 12.99 +0.79 37 Northfield 0.08 -0.69 1 8.40 +2.08 23 Pownal 0.18 -0.85 2 9.43 -0.05 27 Rochester 0.14 -0.84 1 9.74 +1.64 23 Rutland_AG 0.03 -0.71 1 6.11 +0.25 25 Sunderland 0.32 -0.45 3 9.62 +3.23 31 Sutton 0.27 -0.49 2 8.30 +1.72 34 Townshend_Lake 0.29 -0.52 3 9.19 +1.77 27 Union_Vill_Dam 0.32 -0.45 3 8.34 +1.84 27 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 0.77 +0.00 4 12.24 +4.67 30 Boston/Logan_In 0.73 -0.04 4 7.47 -0.83 26 Greenfield 0.28 -0.57 3 10.36 +2.41 25 New_Bedford 1.28 +0.44 3 11.77 +2.39 29 Otis_AFB 1.18 +0.31 3 12.41 +3.87 28 Plymouth 1.86 +0.91 3 12.70 +3.27 26 Walpole 1.14 +0.32 4 11.10 +2.12 25 West_Medway 0.98 +0.16 4 11.25 +2.27 28 Chicopee/Westov 0.36 -0.55 3 9.07 +0.54 28 Worcester 0.92 -0.06 4 11.07 +1.96 27 Worthington 0.24 -0.81 3 11.91 +3.38 31 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 0.84 -0.06 4 10.60 +1.28 27 Woonsocket 1.61 +0.65 4 14.26 +5.10 28 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 0.50 -0.41 3 11.30 +2.66 29 Bridgeport/Siko 0.46 -0.45 4 8.01 -0.64 28 Hartford/Bradle 0.38 -0.53 4 9.07 +0.43 28 Norfolk 0.27 -0.78 2 10.17 +0.22 28 Norwich 0.80 -0.25 4 11.66 +1.31 27 Thomaston_Dam 0.59 -0.46 4 9.98 +0.52 28 Willimantic 0.65 -0.33 4 9.81 +0.60 30 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 2004: 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: The past week was very cold and wet. Grass has been fertilized, but is not growing well. We need some warm, sunny days. Ross Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: A very cool week, Monday thru Thursday frosts and record cold on Thursday (30F at Windsor Locks). Soil temps still cold. Sweet corn out of ground but some burned as of Thursday am. Cattle going out on pasture. Manure spreading and tillage continuing for field corn. Frank Himmelstein (FSA), New London: Growers made some progress spreading manure and discing fields earlier in the week. More rain during the weekend and extremely cooler than normal temperatures for this time of year will delay planting in many fields. It felt more like March than May this weekend. Where corn has already been planted emergence will be extremely slow until soils warm up. Replanting in the wetter areas will probably be required. Marsha Jette (FSA), New London: Producers are anxiously anticipating spring weather. The cold weather mixed with numerous showers have put operations about 2 weeks behind schedule. Jude Boucher (Ext), Tolland: Rain on the weekend and frost on Monday and Thursday morning. Lorraine Los (Univ of Ct) Windham: Cool weather slowed down development of fruit crops. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: Irrigating strawberries due to several mornings of frost, harrowing and planting drier fields, bypassing heavier soils for now. Pruning done in orchards, bedding plants ready to sell, still on the cool side, lots of work to do. Karen Vozarik (FSA), New Haven: Cool weather has slowed the progress of the bees and the fruit trees. Different parts of the county are in various stages of bloom. Fields are tilled and plastic is down ready to plant. Joyce Meader (Ext), Windham: Cold, wet soil does not encourage planting of corn. No-till forage seeding delayed by mud (plugs the seed tubes). Grass and clover looks good, waiting for warm weather. MAINE - Marvin Hedstrom, Northern Aroostook: Potatoes and small grains: Cold wet weather continues, therefore there has been no field activity as of yet. Most growers have everything ready to go when field conditions are ready. Dee Potter (Ext),Aroostook: No field work has begun in the northern part of the county as it continues to be cold and wet .Pam Hickey (Ext), Central Aroostook: Farmers have been getting equipment ready for planting seed, and ordering seed for planting. Recent rain has delayed any field work. Steve London, Southern Aroostook: Potatoes and small grains: Nothing done yet. Gleason Gray (Ext) Penobscot: More rain has further delayed most if not all field work.Albert Dow (NRCS), Piscataquis: Some tilling and planting took place this week withsome manure spread. Heavy cold rain Saturday P.M. and Sunday A.M. Vegetable farmers have planted peas, beets, beans and greens. Donna Lamb (Ext), Piscataquis: Some of the fields on well drained soils were dry enough for field work this week. Most are still drying out from repeated rains. Kathy Hopkins (Ext), Somerset: Some manure spreading but most fields too wet to work with standing water in many places. Janet King (FSA), Somerset: Very cold spring, we need sun. Spreading fertilizer and lime. Trudy Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: Not much outdoor work accomplished. Crops already planted need sun. Fields are too soft to work from another week of rain. Some blueberry fields remain to be burned, but are too wet. Sulfur, fertilizer applications need to be done also when the ground dries out. Marcia Hall (FSA), Oxford: Oxford County still in need of sunny days with warmer temperatures. The weekend was another wash out and not able to get out on the crop fields. Last week was cloudy with cool temperatures. Fields are to wet to get on with equipment to spray and spread manure at this time. Donald Burke (FSA), Waldo: Another week of rain and showers, prevented most field work from being accomplished. Pastures are green but too soft to put the animals on. Another one to two inches of rain fell over the weekend. Dr. David Yarborough (Ext), Washington: Wild blueberries: Fields being burned for pruning and pre emergence herbicides and fertilizers being applied. Fungicides being sprayed in down-east fields and second spray applied to mid-coast fields to protect against mummy berry disease infection. Sandy Truslow (FSA), Cumberland/York: Cool, wet weather continues to delay spring planting. Some early corn is planted under cover. Orchardist are spraying dormant oil and finding many wet spots to get stuck in. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: Wet, wet, wet... the only good result is that the grass is now turning very green and groundwater supplies are good. Farmers are getting pastures ready. The timing is good because the weather has been too cool for black flies! Field work is falling behind because of soggy ground conditions. Laura Rand (FSA), Oxford: Wet weather continues. Most fields too wet to attempt farming and the cold, damp weather will not relinquish its hold. Greenhouses are beginning to display colorful arrays and seedlings for planting. Pastures are green but wet. Guy Piper (FSA), Kennebec: Areas on fields are very limited to spread commercial fertilizer, farm produced manure as there is still standing water in some fields. It was noted one farm in Clinton received 7.2 inches of rain in 13 days up to May 3, 2005. MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: Planting sweet corn with or without plastic cover. Still plowing and harrowing for future corn planting. Orchard growers are watching for frost damage. We had four mornings with frost this week. Frank Caruso (Ext), Plymouth: Cranberries: November weather the past two days had virtually stopped plant development, and slowed the insect pests down as well (not a bad thing!). Plants are slowly greening up and beginning new growth in the warmest areas of the bed. There were two frost nights mid-week, one where growers had to run the sprinklers most of the night. Growers are applying pre-emergent herbicides and cleaning ditches. Sweeping for insects not necessary for most of the week - too cool or wet from frost protection or rainfall. One of our concerns this spring is whether the high populations of winter moth larvae will infiltrate the beds and feed on cranberry foliage. Time will tell. Jason Otto (FSA), Bristol: Good week for field work. Wet, windy, rainy, and cold weekend dampened weekend flower sales. Some early sweet corn is about to emerge. John Devine (FSA), Franklin: Cool and wet weather conditions have delayed field activities in Franklin County this week. A heavy freeze on Thursday effected all early season crops including asparagus and strawberries. Temperatures were so cold (28 degrees) that frost protection may not have been effective. At this time, fruit trees do not appear to be damaged from these conditions. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA), Hampshire/Hampden: Field conditions are wet due to recent rains and producers report the season temperatures are 10 percent below normal. Growers are planting, spreading manure, subsoiling and spreading lime. Their have been report of winter kill in peaches and asparagus. Growers are reporting low yields because of the very cool temperatures. Vegetable growers are planting potatoes, peas, sweet corn, carrots, lettuce, cabbage and parsnips. Setting irrigation in strawberry fields for frost protection. Gary Guida, Worcester: And YET another great weekend for selling plants. Cold, wet, and dreary. Seems like everyone is into the Mother's Day act now. Greenhouses really backing up as weather is inhibiting moving of annuals outside. Cannot plow or plant as ground too wet or too cold for corn planting perhaps later in the week. NEW HAMPSHIRE - Amy Ouellette (Ext), Belknap: Better weather this week, although ground still wet. We could use a week or two without rain. Several frosts. Strawberries and potatoes planted. Greenhouse growth slow. Tina Savage (Ext), Carroll: Another cold wet spring shaping up. Plant sales are down, cool wet weekends are becoming a habit. Pastures are very green, grass is growing well . Fruit sprays going on as weather permits, field work being done as weather permits. Carl Majewski (Ext), Cheshire: Mostly dry, but cool this week. Field prep continues for field corn, but cool temperatures have delayed planting. Grass in hayfields and pastures seems to be doing pretty well; most producers have let animals out to graze. Vegetable growers continuing some seeding and transplanting. Orchards are finishing cleanup and continuing with spraying. Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: Cool wet weather conditions prevailed this week making field work difficult. Some corn fields being prepared for planting on lighter soils, ponding water in scattered locations. Pastures and meadows of fields planted to rye last year beginning to green up. Some livestock on pasture. Beekeepers getting in packages of new bees, starting up hives, not many dandylions out yet. Cool and wet pretty much sums it up. Greenhouses and nurseries geared up for Mother's Day openings had one of the better days, although could have used more sun. Tom Buob (Ext), Grafton: Cool weather continued, but slightly drier conditions allowed for some field work. Mostly field prep including manure application and tillage. Some corn planting occurred late in the week. Soil still cold along with the air. Steve Schmidt (FSA), Grafton: Fieldwork is in high gear. Manure is being spread, plowing, harrowing, and a small amount of corn has been planted. County area received very little snow in the Connecticut River valley from Lyme on north, until the first week of March. The open winter, combined with sub-zero temperatures forced the frost down deep into the ground. Winter kill on Alfalfa is again prevalent around the county this spring. It's not as bad as last year, but it is still a serious loss situation. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: Fruits: Orchardists made sure bees were in apple orchards at end of week. There is a shortage of bees, due to winter kill caused by mites. Cherry trees were at full bloom to petal fall. Peach and pear trees are at full bloom. Apples are in pink stage. Blueberries is at pink bud stage. Orchardists are fertilizing orchards and are applying protective fungicide sprays on fruit trees and blueberries. Field Crops: Farmers are fertilizing hayfields; spreading manure, plowing, discing fertilizing and planting corn. Some winter damage to alfalfa was seen. Vegetables: Continue early season vegetables (peas, lettuce, greens, cole crops) planting, along with sweet corn and potatoes. Liming, fertilizing, plowing, discing and getting ready plant fields. Laying plastic mulch and drip irrigation tape. Harvesting asparagus. Nada Haddad (Ext), Rockingham: Finishing pruning fruit trees, blueberries, raspberries and grapes. Spraying protective fungicides in fruit orchards. Applying fertilizer. Plowing, discing and broadcasting fertilizer on vegetable fields. Spreading manure on field corn. Pasture looks good. Could use some sun and warmer temperature. Garden Centers are ready but few customers because of the wet weather. Pam Marvin (FSA), Sullivan: Too much cold weather for this time of year. Three days in a row of frost could spell trouble for early blossoms of strawberries, etc. Land preparation and manure spreading of corn fields continues with more planting being done this week. First crop of hay coming along nicely, but have had reports of alfalfa winter kill. Some will be plowed up and put in to corn, others will be reseeded. More fields of sweet corn being planted along with early vegetables. Geoffrey Njue (Ext), Strafford: Another wet week. It was a difficult week to work the fields due to very wet conditions. Pastures and hay fields doing very well. Fruit growers putting preventative sprays for tarnish plant bugs and for scab. vegetable growers planting cool season crops and hoop house tomatoes. Greenhouses and garden centers busy with mothers' day sales, but could have been better if the weather was good. RHODE ISLAND - Karen Menezes (Ext), Newport: Lots of cold, rainy wind hit the end of the week, reminding us that summer is still off in the distance. Planting potatoes and harrowing all fields. Spreading manure. Spraying fruit trees and Christmas trees has been stalled due to the wind. The greenhouses are full and still waiting field planting. Roadside stands have lots of early spring color and cole crop seedlings. Mother's day will be busy. VERMONT - John St. Onge/Kim Peterson (FSA), Lamoille: Feels like the cool temperatures have put us about a week behind the average for this time of year. Pasture growth is slow with a few animals recently turned out. The weekend saw some corn being planted on well drained fields. Sheep being shorn before weather gets hot. Dave Blodgett (NRCS), Orleans: Landowners are spreading manure on crop fields. Some have let animals out to pasture. The cool wet weather has slowed spring work. Perley Sparrow (FSA), Windham: Another week of frosty morning and cool daytime. Corn in the southern part of the county has been planted. Hay crops are growing fast. Alfalfa that made it through the winter is knee high and is looking strong. Veggie crops are slow due the cool temperatures. Dennis Kauppila (Ext), Caledonia: Cool damp week. Spreading manure, fixing fence, getting corn ground ready to plant. We are ready for some warm weather. A few more heifers out, but there is no feed in pastures yet. Terrance Bradshaw (UVM), Chittenden: Apples progressing slowly, expect first bloom from 5/11 to 5/15. Good weather this week for spray applications. Apple scab ascospore development has progressed to a critical management stage. Sherwin Williams, Rutland: Asparagus beds fertilized ready for warm weather. Plowing, harrowing and applying fertilizer for sweet corn fields. Two acres of peas planted, first planting just starting to break ground. Early garden vegetables planted, such as radishes, lettuce, spinach and onions. We need some warm sunny days. 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, send an e-mail message to listserv@newsbox.usda.gov and in the body, type subscribe usda-new-eng-crop-weather Statistician: Travis Averill Stat Assistant: Lynne Arsenault Deputy Director: Gearld Tillman 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 ***********************