State NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER Week ending date 05/12/02 Issue NH-CW1902 Volume 22, Number 3 (issued weekly on the Internet, May - October) May 13, 2002 - 4 pm Agricultural Summary COOL WEATHER CONTINUES IN NEW ENGLAND For the week ending May 12, 2002, there were 5.8 days available for field work across New England. Topsoil moisture was rated 3% very short, 11% short, 72% adequate, 14% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 10% very short, 22% short, 62% adequate, 6% surplus. Pasture condition was rated as 2% very poor, 8% poor, 25% fair, 62% good, 3% excellent. Cool weather continued last week throughout most of New England, with northern states experiencing more precipitation than the southern states. Farmers are continually on the alert for frost. Major farm activities included: planting field corn, early vegetables, sweet corn, potatoes and berries; spreading manure; seeding; applying fertilizer; disking; plowing and harrowing; laying plastic; fixing fences; and setting up irrigation systems for frost protection. SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------- Soil Rating This Week Last Week Last Year ---------------------------------------------- -- Percent -- Topsoil Moisture Very Short 3 3 26 Short 11 9 40 Adequate 72 82 32 Surplus 14 6 2 Subsoil Moisture Very Short 10 9 12 Short 22 25 30 Adequate 62 65 57 Surplus 6 1 1 ---------------------------------------------- Field Crops Report FIELD CROPS: Potato planting in Maine began last week and farmers also made good progress with the planting of oats and barley. Massachusetts and Rhode Island potato growers are well past the half-way mark in planting. This year's silage corn crop was in good to fair condition as of last week and remained behind last year and the normal for planting progress. Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report FRUIT: Fruit tree growers applied fertilizers, sprayed orchards, and monitored for disease and insects last week. Farmers are still evaluating the extent of the frost damage caused to some fruit crops the previous week. Maine wild blueberry growers continued to apply pre- emergence herbicide and fungicide for mummyberry disease. Blueberry and apple blossom development has been delayed by the cool weather. Insecticides were applied to cranberry beds in Massachusetts last week in response to insect population thresholds being reached. VEGETABLES: Planting of sweet corn, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, onions, carrots, beans, lettuce and cabbage continued. Asparagus, fiddleheads and spinach continued to be harvested. Growers sprayed sweet corn fields for weeds last week. Some vegetable crops that had been killed by the previous week's frost had to be replanted. Crop Progress Tables FIELD CROP PROGRESS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND -------------------------------------------------------- Crop 2002 2001 5-yr Avg %Emrg Condition -------------------------------------------------------- -- Percent Planted -- Barley, ME 25 40 30 0 Good Oats, ME 25 35 30 0 Good Potatoes Maine 10 25 20 0 Good/Excellent Mass 65 65 70 5 Good/Fair Rhode Isl 85 80 65 20 Good Silage Corn 15 30 20 <5 Good/Fair Sweet Corn 20 35 25 10 Fair/Good Tobacco Shade 0 0 <5 -- -- Dry Hay -- Percent Harvested -- First Cut 0 0 0 -- Fair --------------------------------------------------------- FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ------------------------------------------------------- Crop Stage Fruit Set Condition ------------------------------------------------------- Apples FB/EB Avg/B.Avg Good/Fair Peaches PF/FB B.Avg/Avg Fair/Good Pears PF/FB B.Avg/Avg Fair/Poor Blueberries Highbush EB/Bud -- Good/Fair Wild, ME EB/Bud -- Good Cranberries,MA Bud -- Good/Fair Strawberries Bud/EB Avg/B.Avg Good/Fair ------------------------------------------------------- *EB = Early Bloom, FB = Full Bloom, PF = Petal Fall Weather Summary For the week ending Sunday, May 12, 2002 ---------------------------------------------- AIR TEMPERATURES PRECIPITATION STATE LO HI AVG DFN LO HI ---- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- ME 20 81 52 +3 0.00 1.18 NH 13 84 54 +3 0.04 0.52 VT 24 83 53 +3 0.00 0.74 MA 35 83 58 +5 0.00 0.36 RI 40 78 58 +5 0.06 0.23 CT 38 81 59 +4 0.02 0.22 ---------------------------------------------- Copyright 2002: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Weather Information Table Weather Summary For New England Agricultural Statistics Service Prepared By AWIS, Inc. for the week ending Sunday, May 12, 2002. For the Period: Monday May 6, 2002 To: Sunday May 12, 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 34 78 54 +2 62 +5 0 +0 Allagash 20 69 46 -2 6 -6 0 +0 Augusta_ME 39 76 56 +4 82 +34 4 +4 Bangor 37 73 54 +4 58 +26 2 +2 Barnard 33 77 53 +4 43 +21 0 +0 Bath 31 74 53 +2 48 +19 4 +4 Bethel 32 80 54 +4 84 +48 9 +9 Brassua_Dam 21 67 47 +2 14 +6 0 +0 Brunswick_ME 37 75 55 +4 62 +33 3 +3 Caribou 29 72 49 +2 28 +6 0 +0 Corinna 35 80 54 +4 61 +28 0 +0 Danforth 28 76 52 +3 33 +13 0 +0 Dover-Foxcroft 32 72 50 +1 20 -2 0 +0 Durham 29 77 54 +2 73 +25 8 +8 East_Hiram 32 79 54 +3 83 +47 13 +13 Eustis 30 74 48 +3 29 +19 0 +0 Frenchville 25 65 46 -1 13 +1 0 +0 Gray 43 76 56 +6 90 +61 9 +9 Greenville_ME 34 72 51 +2 37 +9 6 +6 Guilford 28 70 48 -2 21 -1 0 +0 Hollis 36 81 55 +5 104 +77 16 +16 Houlton 26 75 52 +4 48 +26 2 +2 Kennebunkport 37 75 54 +0 63 +2 10 +10 Livermore_Falls 30 80 54 +5 61 +39 5 +5 Moosehead 28 74 49 +5 23 +15 0 +0 New_Sharon 36 81 56 +7 72 +50 4 +4 Patten 27 72 48 -1 15 -7 0 +0 Portage 30 70 48 +0 16 -6 0 +0 Portland_ME 37 73 55 +5 79 +50 3 +3 Rangeley 30 73 49 +4 21 +11 0 +0 Sebec_Lake 29 75 52 +3 38 +10 0 +0 Vanceboro 31 71 51 +3 26 +9 0 +0 Waterville 37 76 55 +2 60 +3 1 +1 NEW HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 37 78 57 +4 128 +69 22 +21 Benton 37 77 53 +3 102 +49 27 +25 Berlin_AG 37 79 53 +4 75 +34 8 +8 Bethlehem 33 78 52 +1 82 +31 14 +12 Concord 35 81 57 +6 178 +119 50 +49 Diamond_Pond 30 69 47 +2 24 +12 0 +0 First_Conn_Lake 32 74 50 +5 25 +13 0 +0 Greenville 40 78 56 +5 145 +90 28 +27 Keene_AP 36 79 57 +3 188 +99 53 +44 Lakeport 39 79 56 +6 136 +90 26 +26 Marlow 29 76 52 -3 116 +45 26 +20 Mt_Washington 13 48 33 +1 2 +2 0 +0 North_Conway 37 82 55 +4 108 +61 21 +21 Otter_Brook_Lk 38 79 56 +2 152 +63 37 +28 Plymouth 29 81 53 +4 96 +64 19 +19 Rochester 39 84 58 +5 149 +78 32 +28 Weare 38 78 57 +3 139 +68 32 +26 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 35 80 54 +4 140 +89 33 +31 Bethel 30 82 54 +4 128 +85 33 +33 Burlington_VT 42 79 56 +3 165 +85 48 +39 East_Haven 31 78 51 +4 72 +49 14 +14 Island_Pond 32 74 51 +4 73 +46 13 +13 Montpelier 38 78 54 +4 128 +78 40 +39 Morrisville_AG 28 76 51 +1 88 +45 17 +17 Mount_Mansfield 24 61 43 +2 52 +46 9 +9 Northfield 36 79 54 +5 119 +84 28 +28 Pownal 38 76 53 +2 140 +85 42 +38 Rochester 29 77 53 +3 108 +65 26 +26 Rutland_AG 39 78 54 -1 136 +34 30 +17 Sunderland 32 76 53 -3 127 +28 32 +22 Sutton 35 77 52 +4 78 +55 18 +18 Townshend_Lake 34 83 56 +3 159 +88 42 +36 Union_Vill_Dam 30 82 54 +0 116 +42 27 +21 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 39 78 57 +6 172 +128 39 +39 Boston 49 77 60 +5 237 +132 57 +57 Greenfield 38 83 59 +4 200 +96 57 +50 New_Bedford 41 75 58 +3 219 +111 41 +40 Otis_AFB 46 72 57 +5 168 +122 19 +19 Plymouth 44 76 58 +6 178 +126 33 +33 Walpole 42 78 60 +7 217 +142 60 +60 West_Medway 42 80 60 +7 236 +161 70 +70 Westover 41 79 60 +3 263 +106 85 +70 Worcester 43 76 58 +5 192 +131 49 +49 Worthington 36 76 55 +4 153 +102 43 +43 RHODE ISLAND Providence 42 75 59 +5 234 +146 54 +54 Woonsocket 40 78 60 +7 227 +156 64 +64 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 39 79 58 +2 213 +69 67 +52 Bridgeport 46 74 60 +5 238 +124 54 +45 Hartford_AP 44 79 61 +5 291 +155 96 +82 Norfolk 40 75 56 +5 174 +127 52 +52 Norwich 42 76 59 +3 239 +121 72 +62 Thomaston_Dam 39 81 59 +5 225 +139 66 +61 Willimantic 38 77 60 +6 250 +167 76 +72 1-WEEK PRECIP 4-WEEK CUM PRECIP ------------- ----------------- TOTAL TOTAL STATION INCHES DFN DAYS INCHES DFN DAYS ------- ----- ---- --- ----- ---- --- MAINE Albion 0.28 -0.56 1 3.52 +0.20 10 Allagash 0.63 -0.07 4 2.16 -0.46 13 Augusta_ME 0.33 -0.56 1 3.02 -0.58 10 Bangor 0.29 -0.55 2 3.40 +0.23 12 Barnard 0.25 -0.57 2 2.98 -0.36 14 Bath 0.51 -0.33 1 3.35 -0.28 11 Bethel 0.27 -0.53 2 3.60 +0.28 10 Brassua_Dam 0.14 -0.63 3 3.52 +0.52 14 Brunswick_ME 0.54 -0.30 1 3.17 -0.46 9 Caribou 0.90 +0.20 3 2.53 +0.03 14 Corinna 0.44 -0.37 2 3.79 +0.46 10 Danforth 0.43 -0.41 2 2.92 -0.33 16 Dover-Foxcroft 0.06 -0.76 1 2.02 -1.32 11 Durham 0.35 -0.49 1 3.82 +0.27 10 East_Hiram 0.23 -0.64 1 3.34 -0.28 10 Eustis 0.16 -0.54 2 4.14 +1.27 13 Frenchville 1.07 +0.37 3 2.81 +0.19 13 Gray 0.26 -0.58 1 3.34 -0.32 10 Greenville_ME 0.21 -0.61 2 2.59 -0.75 14 Guilford 0.23 -0.59 3 3.16 -0.18 13 Hollis 0.34 -0.53 1 3.93 +0.15 10 Houlton 0.59 -0.16 3 2.51 -0.22 17 Kennebunkport 0.30 -0.61 1 3.90 +0.12 12 Livermore_Falls 0.38 -0.46 2 3.43 -0.10 10 Moosehead 0.14 -0.63 3 2.71 -0.29 13 New_Sharon 0.28 -0.56 2 2.48 -1.05 10 Patten 0.41 -0.34 3 2.44 -0.29 16 Portage 0.66 -0.04 4 3.09 +0.59 16 Portland_ME 0.35 -0.49 1 3.12 -0.54 10 Rangeley 0.38 -0.32 2 2.93 +0.40 13 Sebec_Lake 0.17 -0.65 1 2.94 -0.40 14 Vanceboro 0.43 -0.41 3 2.81 -0.55 14 Waterville 0.38 -0.46 2 3.18 -0.14 11 NEW HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 0.18 -0.52 1 3.20 +0.40 12 Benton 0.04 -0.70 1 2.19 -0.58 9 Berlin_AG 0.22 -0.55 2 2.42 -0.79 9 Bethlehem 0.22 -0.48 2 2.40 -0.40 12 Concord 0.10 -0.60 1 2.95 +0.15 11 Diamond_Pond 0.42 -0.42 3 3.33 +0.23 16 First_Conn_Lake 0.36 -0.48 2 3.31 +0.21 15 Greenville 0.15 -0.69 1 3.80 +0.44 9 Keene_AP 0.31 -0.53 3 2.88 -0.31 14 Lakeport 0.14 -0.63 1 3.11 +0.00 9 Marlow 0.35 -0.57 2 3.23 -0.42 11 Mt_Washington 0.52 -1.16 2 7.03 -0.13 15 North_Conway 0.19 -0.72 1 3.62 -0.17 11 Otter_Brook_Lk 0.45 -0.39 2 3.17 -0.02 11 Plymouth 0.09 -0.82 1 2.76 -0.59 8 Rochester 0.25 -0.66 1 3.62 -0.27 9 Weare 0.16 -0.76 1 4.02 +0.37 8 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 0.51 -0.48 2 4.42 +0.30 13 Bethel 0.02 -0.96 1 3.22 -0.54 8 Burlington_VT 0.07 -0.63 2 1.99 -0.71 11 East_Haven 0.24 -0.53 2 2.42 -0.48 11 Island_Pond 0.22 -0.55 2 2.98 +0.18 12 Montpelier 0.02 -0.68 1 2.36 -0.14 11 Morrisville_AG 0.06 -0.71 2 2.82 -0.26 15 Mount_Mansfield 0.49 -0.70 4 5.33 +0.27 18 Northfield 0.00 -0.77 0 2.55 -0.38 7 Pownal 0.43 -0.56 4 3.61 -0.51 16 Rochester 0.01 -0.97 1 3.61 -0.15 7 Rutland_AG 0.19 -0.58 3 2.44 -0.35 11 Sunderland 0.74 -0.03 3 3.92 +1.00 13 Sutton 0.17 -0.60 3 2.76 -0.14 12 Townshend_Lake 0.44 -0.40 3 4.31 +1.15 13 Union_Vill_Dam 0.08 -0.69 2 1.57 -1.37 9 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 0.11 -0.66 1 3.09 -0.08 11 Boston 0.34 -0.43 2 2.31 -0.93 10 Greenfield 0.16 -0.68 2 3.55 +0.10 16 New_Bedford 0.19 -0.65 1 3.18 -0.43 12 Otis_AFB 0.36 -0.48 1 3.00 -0.56 8 Plymouth 0.18 -0.73 1 2.60 -1.28 10 Walpole 0.24 -0.54 1 2.74 -0.88 12 West_Medway 0.24 -0.54 1 3.16 -0.46 10 Westover 0.10 -0.81 2 3.40 -0.24 14 Worcester 0.09 -0.89 1 3.02 -0.75 14 Worthington 0.06 -0.99 2 3.03 -1.02 16 RHODE ISLAND Providence 0.09 -0.77 1 2.53 -1.14 12 Woonsocket 0.23 -0.69 1 3.70 -0.15 12 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 0.03 -0.88 1 4.89 +1.25 14 Bridgeport 0.05 -0.86 3 3.78 +0.15 14 Hartford_AP 0.04 -0.87 1 3.21 -0.43 14 Norfolk 0.02 -1.00 1 4.35 +0.18 14 Norwich 0.08 -0.97 1 2.69 -1.57 9 Thomaston_Dam 0.18 -0.87 2 3.59 -0.51 14 Willimantic 0.05 -0.93 1 2.37 -1.55 14 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: Some field corn has been planted on the lighter soils. The clay soils are still too wet to work. Ross Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: Chopping rye for feed. Corn planting continues at full speed. Hay growing at a slow pace to date. Replanting of earlier frozen sweet corn. Showers on Sunday were nice. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: Farm activities are strong with manure being spread, fields tilled and planted. Dry weather continues. Spits of rain have arrived but still ten inches below normal. Greenhouse and nursery crops look great, but warmth is needed to inspire plantings. Nancy Welsh/Karen Lockman (FSA), New Haven: Heavy frost which occurred a week earlier affected much of the strawberries, apples, peaches and pears. The vegetables that have been planted have been replanted since frost has killed them. Drought conditions are still in effect. Richard Meinert (Ext), CT Cooperative: Spreading manure, planting corn, fertilizing grass. Spotty reports of Japanese beetle grubs damaging hay fields. MAINE - Marvin Hedstrom, Northern Aroostook: Potatoes: Potato planting has pretty much begun for all growers. Soils still tend to be cold and wet; however, the calendar dictates it's time to start planting. Small grains being planted, lime spreading, etc. Maybe it will warm up someday. It was 22 degrees on Sunday! Pam Hickey (Ext), Central Aroostook: Planting has begun. Farmers were busily getting grounds ready. Some grains planted. We need some warmer temperatures. Steve London (Ext), Southern Aroostook: This past week most of the farmers started working on the ground, planting some potatoes and grain. Albert Dow (NRCS), Piscataquis: Cold weather. Grass land seems to be coming slow now. Some young stock are out on pasture. Donna Lamb (Ext), Piscataquis: Spreading manure and tillage are the primary farm activities for the past week. Janet King (FSA), Somerset: Field work is getting ready for planting corn. Need warmer weather and rain. Rick Kersbergen (Ext), Waldo: Cool, dry weather. Lots of wind to dry out soil surfaces. Fields being spread and some corn being planted. Some growers waiting until soil temperatures are more favorable. Snow is in the forecast again for May 14. Trudy Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: Not much outdoor activity due to weather. Fertilizer being spread. Weed control on blueberry fields is in progress. Cool, damp weather has kept blossoms from opening on blueberries and apples, but bees will be arriving from southern states soon. A lot of the early corn is in the ground and some has emerged. David Yarborough (Ext), Washington: Wild Blueberries: Pre-emergence herbicide and fertilizer being applied. Fungicide being applied to protect plants from mummyberry disease. Bees being placed out in mid-coast wild blueberry fields. Cool weather delaying bloom development. Michael Tardy (FSA), Androscoggin: Will someone out there please turn off the faucet and turn up the heat!? The row crop producers are ready to plant, but can't get on the ground because of the rain. Surface water is causing problems and the ground water is still low. Living off the land is sometimes tough and frustrating. The apple and strawberry people are content at this point. The rain and cool weather is allowing the crops to slowly grow and stay free from a frost. The hay crop should be really good this year. At least this weather isn't breeding our friends, the army worms. Let's see what this week gives us. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: Some hayland plantings have emerged. Producers are planting corn, spreading manure and repairing fences. We need sunshine and warm weather for growth. It was a very windy weekend. Laura Rand (FSA), Oxford: Dust is flying everywhere! Potatoes, corn and small vegetables are being planted with a flurry. Cold weather seems to be the norm. Need rain and warm weather to make this season a success. MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: Lots of spreading of manure on corn fields and then harrowing, plowing, then planting. Sweet corn planting underway, some under plastic. Cool, wet weather slowed everything down. Weather permitting, the harvesting of haylage should start soon. Kip Graham (FSA), Worcester: Plowing cover crops under, harrowing. Some lime being spread. Some sweet corn and silage corn planted - testing Mother Nature. Still some cold temperatures and wet. Continuing manure spreading along with the tillage. Weather finally catching up and warming up a bit. Cattle being put out and enjoying that first tender bite of grass. Continuous battle with fencing repairs, manure spreading, plowing and harrowing, corn planting, plastic laying, spraying and vegetable transplanting. Still looking forward to a good cropping season. Frank Caruso (Ext), Plymouth: Cranberries: Insect populations are reaching thresholds in many beds, requiring the first insecticide applications. Black-headed fireworm has been especially notable. The industry is still trying to get approval for a material to control what will be horrendous numbers of cranberry weevil. Growers are applying Ridomil and Aliette for Phytophthora root rot. Several renovation projects are nearing completion. Quiet week for frost. Good rainfall on Sunday (5/12) with significantly more coming on Monday (5/13). David Rose (FSA), Bristol: Last week was spent planting; some warmer season crops now being planted. Farmers continue to prepare fields. Plastic was removed from sweet corn. Fruit appears in good order at this time. Sweet corn and silage corn a little yellow at this point. John Devine (FSA), Franklin: Cool, dry and windy conditions have allowed most farms to continue spreading manure and complete field preparation. Topsoil is drying out quickly after being tilled. This has led to really dusty conditions in the Valley. Early spring forage crops are doing well, so are rye and oat crops. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA), Hampshire/Hampden: It was a big week for planting field corn and potatoes. Harvesting asparagus, fiddleheads and spinach. Early potatoes started to break through the ground. Sweet corn under plastic looks good. Farmers were very pleased with the rain showers on Sunday, May 12th. Gary Guida, Worcester: Hanging baskets and flower sales were through the roof this week, especially Friday & Saturday. What slow economy? Fields here especially dry, but rains on Sunday afternoon and this coming week will help. Plowing fields and planting corn were major activities this week, as growers held off laying plastic until more moisture is received. Corn not up yet. NEW HAMPSHIRE - Amy Ouellette (Ext), Belknap: Soil prep including liming, manure spreading, plowing, disking, and plastic laying going on throughout the county. Ground dried enough for more planting. Third planting of peas and fourth planting of corn in ground. Lettuce, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower planted on plastic. Strawberries growing well. Greenhouse tomatoes looking good. Pastures and hayland greening up. Fungicide applications going on for apple scab. Fruit fertilizers being applied. Bruce Clement (Ext), Cheshire: Sunny, but still on the cool side for most of the week. The usual spring activities going on. Planting silage and sweet corn, some early vegetables and small fruits. Plowing, harrowing, fixing fence, seeding, spreading fertilizer, spraying. Pastures and hay fields looking good. Haylage making will start as soon we get a stretch of clear weather. Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: A good weather week for field work sees farmers very busy hauling manure, spreading and tilling in preparation for field corn planting. Hay and pasture lands greening up well with rain at week's end, adding to soil moisture. Dandelions in full bloom, a welcome sign to bee keepers. Greenhouse operations beginning sales with nice Saturday weather preceding Mother's Day Holiday. Tom Buob (Ext), Grafton: Some cold (freeze) damage showing up on lush growing orchard grass. Corn planting continues, but no emergence yet. Soil moisture adequate for crops so far, but it is still dry. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: Fruits: Peaches were well past petal fall stage, apples were past full bloom and are now in petal fall stage in the Hollis area. With all the rain during week, orchardists making sure to have protective fungicide sprays applied. Still evaluating if damage occurred and the amount of damage due to freezing temperatures the week of April 22. Vegetables: Harvesting asparagus. Plowing, disking, fertilizing and laying down plastic and drip irrigation. Early season vegetables are being planted, along with sweet corn and potatoes. Weed spraying sweet corn fields. Field Crops: Fixing pasture fences during rainy weather. Spreading manure, plowing, disking, fertilizing and planting corn on fields that are not too wet. Grasses and forage crops growing well. Nada Haddad (Ext), Rockingham: Very strong wind. Rain was welcomed on Sunday. Planting a second crop of sweet corn, potatoes, peas, carrots and other early vegetables. Disking, fertilizing and laying black plastic in vegetable fields. Some orchardists spraying protective fungicides in apple orchards. Spreading lime, fertilizer and manure, and preparing hayfields and pasture for seeding. Pam Marvin (FSA), Sullivan: Field work continues between rain showers. Manure spreading, plowing and harrowing, silage/sweet corn planting and spraying is continuing. Many vegetable fields have been planted. Early sign of web worms in crab apple trees already. Unknown frost damage to fruit set. Early grass seedings are coming up nicely with the spot rains. Alfalfa is looking good and close to being harvested. RHODE ISLAND - Marilu Soileau (FSA), All Counties: Strawberries were blooming here late in the week. Much farm activity going on including plowing, disking and harrowing, with a minimal amount of planting taking place. Equipment failure and maintenance was using up valuable time. Rain is expected for the next several days. The local weather station predicted 1-2" which will still leave us with a 13" deficit. Fruit tree bloom is past in most areas. Fields are in the last stages of readiness for planting vegetable crops. VERMONT - John St. Onge (FSA), Lamoille: "A cool, wet May means a barnful of hay." That old saying may come true this crop season, considering this month's weather conditions. Some corn was planted last week and many are still spreading manure and fertilizer. Bill Snow (Ext), Orange: Continued work on corn field soil preparation. Some corn being planted; however, concern about cold soil conditions. High winds dried out top soil and mini dust storms developed. Also forest fires were more prevalent. Rain on Sunday amounted to « inch. Grass that had manure / fertilizer looks good, while other fields look behind normal. Need rain and warmer weather. Lynette Hamilton (FSA), Windham: Corn planting is in full swing. Farmers are hoping for warmer temperatures for quick germination. Soil temperature is only about 45 degrees. Legume crops are looking excellent with vigorous growth. Richard Noel (FSA), Grand Isle/Franklin: Crop work in Franklin/Grand Isle going like gang busters. Field work being done on the lighter soils and bottom lands. Much manure has been spread and tilled into the soil. The heavier soils with these rains we've had lately are coming around slowly, but we'll need some sunshine to warm them up. Farmers aren't getting nervous yet, but they're starting to look at the clouds and would like to see the silver lining soon! Sherwin Williams, Rutland: Finished planting potatoes, fifth planting of peas, new strawberries, and 60% of small vegetables planted. Good weather for planting, but temperatures are on the cold side - ground still cool. Quarter-inch of rain in our area. Hope for warm, sunny weather. Asparagus slow coming up; no cutting yet. 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 ***********************