new-eng-crop-weather State NEW ENGLAND WEEKLY CROP WEATHER Week ending date 05/04/03 Issue NH-CW1803 Volume 23, Number 2 (issued weekly on the Internet, May - October) May 5, 2003 - 4 pm Agricultural Summary PLANTING OFF TO A SLOW START For the week ending May 4, 2003, there were 5.3 days available for field work across New England. Topsoil moisture was rated 2% very short, 2% short, 71% adequate, 25% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2% very short, 9% short, 79% adequate, 10% surplus. Pasture condition was rated as 5% very poor, 14% poor, 38% fair, 39% good, 4% excellent. Warmer temperatures with some precipitation helped thaw out the ground, moving most field crop farmers closer to planting. Most crops' planting schedules remain behind normal for this region. Major farm activities included: planting early vegetables, sweet corn under plastic, field corn and potatoes; spreading lime and manure; prepping seed beds for planting; applying fertilizer; pruning; plowing; tilling; discing; and fixing fences. SOIL MOISTURE ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ----------------------------------------------- Soil Rating This Week Last Week Last Year ----------------------------------------------- -- Percent -- Topsoil Moisture Very Short 2 2 3 Short 2 6 9 Adequate 71 72 82 Surplus 25 20 6 Subsoil Moisture Very Short 2 4 9 Short 9 9 25 Adequate 79 76 65 Surplus 10 11 1 ----------------------------------------------- Field Crops Report Farmers in the southern New England states enjoyed favorable conditions for field work last week, while northern areas continued to wait for the ground to thaw and dry out. Farmers top-dressed hayfields with fertilizer. Rhode Island potato planting got off to a good start, with ten percent complete by week's end. Potato farmers remain behind normal schedules with 35 percent planted as of last week. Potato and small grain growers in Maine are slightly behind schedule for planting, as they await warm, dry weather. Shade tobacco producers made preparations to put on side and top cloths. Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report FRUIT: Peaches and pears were in bud stage last week, while most other fruit crops were found in dormant to bud stage. Orchardists applied fertilizer and protective fungicide sprays and pruned trees. Plum trees were blooming last week. Growers continued to prune Maine wild blueberry fields and apply fungicides and pre-emergence herbicides. Massachusetts cranberry growers have been pleased with vine conditions this spring; last week growers continued cleaning ditches and applying herbicides. VEGETABLES: Farmers planted such early vegetables as asparagus, cabbage, carrots, fiddleheads, lettuce, onions, peas and others last week. Growers planted sweet corn under plastic and continued to transplant tomatoes into high tunnels. Roadside stands sold early spring plants. Crop Progress Tables FIELD CROP PROGRESS ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ---------------------------------------------------- Crop 2003 2002 5-yr Avg Condition ---------------------------------------------------- -- % Planted -- Barley, ME 0 5 10 -- Oats, ME 0 5 10 -- Potatoes Maine 0 0 5 -- Mass 35 30 50 Good Rhode Isl 10 60 45 Good Silage Corn 5 5 5 Fair/Good Sweet Corn 10 10 15 Good/Fair Tobacco Shade 0 0 0 -- -- % Harvested -- Dry Hay First Cut 0 0 0 Good/Fair ----------------------------------------------------- FRUIT CROP DEVELOPMENT ACROSS NEW ENGLAND ----------------------------------------------------- Crop Stage Condition ----------------------------------------------------- Apples Dormant/Bud Fair/Good Peaches Bud Fair/Good Pears Bud Fair/Good Blueberries Highbush Dormant/Bud Fair/Good Wild, ME Dormant/Bud Good Cranberries,MA Dormant/Bud Good/Fair Strawberries Dormant/Bud Fair/Good ----------------------------------------------------- Weather Summary For the week ending Sunday, May 4, 2003 ---------------------------------------------- AIR TEMPERATURES PRECIPITATION STATE LO HI AVG DFN LO HI ---- --- --- --- --- ---- ---- ME 21 84 46 -1 0.00 1.50 NH 16 84 50 +3 0.25 1.86 VT 23 81 50 +2 0.56 2.00 MA 27 82 56 +6 0.01 1.55 RI 34 82 55 +5 0.11 0.19 CT 31 83 57 +5 0.14 1.81 ---------------------------------------------- Copyright 2003: AWIS, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Weather Information Table Weather Summary For New England Agricultural Statistics Service Prepared By AWIS, Inc. For the Period: Monday April 28, 2003 To: Sunday May 4, 2003 AIR CUM SINCE MAR 1 TEMPERATURE GROWING DEGREE DAYS ----------- BASE-50F BASE-60F STATION LO HI AVG DFN TOT DFN TOT DFN ------- -- -- -- -- --- ---- --- ---- MAINE Albion 27 77 48 -2 26 +1 1 +1 Allagash 21 53 37 -7 1 -2 0 +0 Augusta_State_A 36 74 51 +2 32 +12 4 +4 Bangor_Intl_Arp 29 76 49 +3 27 +15 4 +4 Barnard 27 78 45 -1 18 +10 0 +0 Bath 28 78 49 +2 18 +8 0 +0 Bethel 29 80 47 -1 24 +11 2 +2 Brassua_Dam 25 68 41 -2 6 +6 0 +0 Brunswick_ME 28 84 52 +4 30 +20 2 +2 Caribou_Municip 27 58 41 -5 1 -7 0 +0 Corinna 28 80 47 -2 19 +7 0 +0 Danforth 24 73 43 -4 4 -3 0 +0 Dover-Foxcroft 27 73 43 -3 14 +6 0 +0 Durham 26 76 47 -3 22 +2 1 +1 East_Hiram 28 79 50 +2 24 +11 2 +2 Eustis 25 73 43 +0 18 +16 0 +0 Frenchville 27 52 39 -5 0 -3 0 +0 Gray 35 79 52 +4 41 +31 12 +12 Greenville_ME 29 74 45 -2 11 +1 0 +0 Guilford 22 71 41 -6 2 -6 0 +0 Hollis 28 81 50 +3 26 +17 1 +1 Houlton 24 71 43 -3 8 +0 0 +0 Kennebunkport 29 79 51 +0 36 +10 4 +4 Livermore_Falls 26 80 47 +2 20 +12 1 +1 Moosehead 24 75 42 +0 9 +9 0 +0 New_Sharon 28 78 47 +2 27 +19 5 +5 Patten 27 69 43 -3 8 +0 0 +0 Portage 28 59 41 -4 2 -6 0 +0 Portland_ME 32 78 52 +5 45 +35 10 +10 Rangeley 25 72 42 -1 7 +5 0 +0 Sebec_Lake 25 78 43 -3 9 -1 0 +0 Vanceboro 27 70 44 -2 6 +0 0 +0 Waterville 29 76 49 -2 23 -2 1 +1 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 30 84 54 +5 44 +17 0 +0 Benton 28 77 49 +2 36 +11 0 +0 Berlin_AG 29 78 49 +3 36 +17 5 +5 Bethlehem 27 76 47 -2 30 +7 0 +0 Concord 29 82 56 +7 87 +60 15 +15 Diamond_Pond 26 75 44 +3 16 +12 0 +0 First_Conn_Lake 26 71 41 -2 11 +7 0 +0 Greenville 26 76 53 +4 35 +10 0 +0 Keene_AP 28 81 56 +5 89 +46 9 +8 Lakeport 34 78 52 +5 33 +14 0 +0 Marlow 27 77 50 -1 24 -8 0 +0 Mount_Washingto 16 46 33 +5 0 +0 0 +0 North_Conway 30 80 50 +2 28 +9 0 +0 Otter_Brook_Lk 31 80 54 +3 47 +4 0 -1 Plymouth 27 79 47 +0 17 +5 0 +0 Rochester 29 83 53 +3 49 +16 4 +4 Weare 33 79 55 +5 64 +32 4 +4 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 30 78 52 +4 32 +9 0 +0 Bethel 25 79 49 +2 43 +24 0 +0 Burlington_Intl 30 80 52 +2 94 +54 14 +13 East_Haven 24 77 46 +2 27 +19 0 +0 Island_Pond 26 73 47 +3 33 +22 0 +0 Montpelier 27 76 49 +2 55 +32 8 +8 Morrisville_AG 24 80 48 +0 43 +24 0 +0 Mount_Mansfield 23 60 43 +5 4 +4 0 +0 Northfield 26 78 47 +2 38 +22 0 +0 Pownal 31 76 53 +6 66 +39 6 +6 Rochester 28 79 50 +3 49 +30 5 +5 Rutland_AG 28 78 50 -2 58 +4 8 +3 Sunderland 26 78 51 -1 56 +1 11 +9 Sutton 27 75 47 +4 33 +25 0 +0 Townshend_Lake 30 81 53 +4 48 +13 0 +0 Union_Vill_Dam 28 80 50 -1 33 -3 0 +0 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 33 79 56 +9 73 +54 5 +5 Boston/Logan_In 42 81 58 +6 126 +69 26 +26 Greenfield 34 82 58 +6 95 +41 13 +13 New_Bedford 34 76 56 +3 77 +17 1 +1 Otis_AFB 36 73 54 +5 60 +39 0 +0 Plymouth 30 77 54 +5 78 +55 3 +3 Walpole 34 81 56 +6 98 +61 13 +13 West_Medway 33 82 57 +7 101 +64 13 +13 Chicopee/Westov 34 81 58 +3 133 +40 20 +15 Worcester 43 76 58 +9 108 +80 16 +16 Worthington 32 77 54 +6 60 +36 3 +3 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 39 78 58 +6 114 +68 16 +16 Woonsocket 34 82 56 +6 80 +47 3 +3 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 31 80 55 +1 70 -13 6 +1 Bridgeport/Siko 43 77 58 +6 99 +36 8 +7 Hartford/Bradle 37 81 60 +6 149 +73 24 +19 Norfolk 35 77 55 +7 64 +44 3 +3 Norwich 36 83 57 +4 97 +32 7 +5 Thomaston_Dam 35 81 57 +6 89 +45 8 +8 Willimantic 34 79 56 +6 110 +69 9 +9 1-WEEK PRECIP 4-WEEK CUM PRECIP ------------- ----------------- TOTAL TOTAL STATION INCHES DFN DAYS INCHES DFN DAYS ------- ----- ---- --- ----- ---- --- MAINE Albion 0.91 +0.10 2 2.12 -1.12 8 Allagash 0.13 -0.54 2 1.13 -1.33 9 Augusta_State_A 0.50 -0.41 2 1.67 -1.87 7 Bangor_Intl_Arp 0.44 -0.35 2 1.65 -1.45 9 Barnard 1.38 +0.54 2 2.45 -0.89 7 Bath 0.14 -0.75 2 1.81 -1.98 7 Bethel 1.08 +0.24 3 2.66 -0.70 8 Brassua_Dam 0.81 +0.06 2 2.80 -0.12 8 Brunswick_ME 0.20 -0.69 2 1.86 -1.93 8 Caribou_Municip 0.71 +0.07 4 1.69 -0.65 11 Corinna 1.08 +0.24 2 2.44 -0.92 7 Danforth 1.24 +0.40 3 2.73 -0.41 8 Dover-Foxcroft 0.90 +0.06 3 1.32 -2.02 9 Durham 0.72 -0.16 3 2.50 -1.21 8 East_Hiram 0.74 -0.17 3 2.86 -0.80 9 Eustis 1.18 +0.45 3 2.12 -0.75 9 Frenchville 0.24 -0.43 4 0.40 -2.06 9 Gray 0.81 -0.10 2 2.49 -1.33 9 Greenville_ME 0.33 -0.51 3 0.80 -2.54 7 Guilford 1.33 +0.49 3 2.11 -1.23 8 Hollis 0.88 -0.06 2 3.65 -0.25 10 Houlton 0.77 +0.07 3 1.93 -0.59 11 Kennebunkport 0.59 -0.33 3 3.56 -0.28 11 Livermore_Falls 0.92 +0.04 3 2.11 -1.50 8 Moosehead 0.77 +0.02 3 2.34 -0.58 9 New_Sharon 1.10 +0.22 3 2.17 -1.44 7 Patten 0.66 -0.04 2 2.14 -0.38 8 Portage 0.85 +0.21 4 2.23 -0.11 9 Portland_ME 0.07 -0.84 2 2.18 -1.64 9 Rangeley 1.50 +0.87 3 2.78 +0.40 10 Sebec_Lake 1.22 +0.38 2 2.18 -1.16 8 Vanceboro 0.83 -0.01 2 1.91 -1.45 7 Waterville 0.99 +0.18 2 2.00 -1.24 8 NEW_HAMPSHIRE Barnstead 0.80 +0.10 2 3.40 +0.63 9 Benton 0.75 +0.05 2 1.66 -0.99 9 Berlin_AG 0.25 -0.53 2 1.52 -1.69 7 Bethlehem 1.10 +0.40 3 2.28 -0.50 11 Concord 0.75 +0.05 2 3.31 +0.54 10 Diamond_Pond 1.86 +1.08 3 3.96 +1.02 13 First_Conn_Lake 1.37 +0.59 3 3.30 +0.36 12 Greenville 1.30 +0.46 1 4.13 +0.77 7 Keene_AP 0.92 +0.11 2 2.12 -0.91 8 Lakeport 1.34 +0.54 2 3.05 -0.06 10 Marlow 1.50 +0.59 2 3.14 -0.45 9 Mount_Washingto 1.08 -0.68 3 4.48 -3.00 14 North_Conway 1.11 +0.18 2 2.74 -1.11 8 Otter_Brook_Lk 1.52 +0.71 3 3.40 +0.37 12 Plymouth 1.30 +0.46 2 2.38 -0.82 9 Rochester 0.25 -0.72 1 2.85 -1.12 6 Weare 1.07 +0.16 2 3.28 -0.31 8 VERMONT Ball_Mt_Lake 1.26 +0.21 2 3.00 -1.10 10 Bethel 0.82 -0.15 3 2.38 -1.22 11 Burlington_Intl 0.77 +0.09 4 2.47 -0.15 12 East_Haven 1.85 +1.13 5 2.52 -0.25 11 Island_Pond 1.35 +0.64 3 2.79 +0.18 10 Montpelier 1.04 +0.41 3 1.64 -0.70 8 Morrisville_AG 0.93 +0.16 4 3.37 +0.31 12 Mount_Mansfield 1.52 +0.26 3 5.37 +0.16 11 Northfield 1.47 +0.71 4 4.83 +2.06 11 Pownal 1.29 +0.24 2 2.37 -1.73 9 Rochester 1.24 +0.27 4 3.09 -0.51 11 Rutland_AG 1.14 +0.44 2 2.48 -0.10 7 Sunderland 1.07 +0.32 2 2.15 -0.61 9 Sutton 1.43 +0.71 5 2.93 +0.16 14 Townshend_Lake 1.08 +0.31 2 2.65 -0.43 9 Union_Vill_Dam 0.99 +0.22 3 2.82 +0.04 12 MASSACHUSETTS Ashburnham 1.03 +0.24 2 3.82 +0.65 10 Boston/Logan_In 0.12 -0.68 2 3.34 +0.02 11 Greenfield 0.97 +0.08 2 3.21 -0.24 8 New_Bedford 0.10 -0.78 1 5.45 +1.68 10 Otis_AFB 0.05 -0.86 2 4.31 +0.67 10 Plymouth 0.07 -0.91 1 5.53 +1.58 11 Walpole 0.48 -0.40 2 4.08 +0.21 13 West_Medway 0.11 -0.77 1 3.88 +0.01 8 Chicopee/Westov 1.55 +0.64 2 3.78 +0.14 10 Worcester 0.24 -0.72 2 2.67 -1.02 11 Worthington 0.65 -0.40 2 2.51 -1.36 9 RHODE_ISLAND Providence 0.19 -0.72 2 4.21 +0.41 10 Woonsocket 0.16 -0.81 1 3.74 -0.17 10 CONNECTICUT Bakersville 1.21 +0.30 2 3.81 +0.17 10 Bridgeport/Siko 0.20 -0.71 4 3.62 +0.07 13 Hartford/Bradle 0.63 -0.28 3 2.85 -0.79 12 Norfolk 0.60 -0.45 2 1.74 -2.46 10 Norwich 0.27 -0.81 2 5.10 +0.84 11 Thomaston_Dam 0.97 -0.08 4 3.12 -0.90 13 Willimantic 0.36 -0.62 3 2.72 -1.20 12 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 2003: 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: Dairy farmers were busy spreading manure, plowing some of the drier land and getting ready to plant field corn. Ross Eddy (FSA), Hartford/Tolland: Spreading manure, plowing and discing. More sweet corn planted and some field corn planted. Working tobacco ground well underway. Still cool mornings with isolated frost. Dawn Pindell (FSA), Windham: A little heat this week opened up a lot of ornamental blossoms, with fruit trees right behind, honey bee activity is good, corn fields are slowly transferring from a carpet of green to a rich, earthy glow as harrows make way for planting to begin. Nancy Welsh/Karen Lockman (FSA), New Haven: Soils are cold and wet. Fruit is five to seven days late. Peas and beans have been planted as well as some sweet corn. Greenhouses are full of flowers getting ready for Mother's Day. Richard Meinert (Ext), CT Cooperative: Corn planting is underway with the early birds finished already. Field prep and spreading fertilizer this past week. MAINE - Marvin Hedstrom, Northern Aroostook: Potatoes and small grains: Still no field activities. Most of the snowbanks are gone but fields remain very wet. However, warm temperatures and wind Saturday and Sunday were needed to dry ground out. Growers hauling home seed. Some growers have begun cutting their seed. Preparing tillage and planting equipment. Pam Hickey (Ext), Central Aroostook: The weather continues to be on the cool side. After rain this week, fields continue to be on the wet side. Hopefully, in the next week we will get some warmer temperatures to help farmers get on the fields to start planting. Steve London (Ext), Southern Aroostook: Fields have not dried up enough to plant and soil temperatures still too cold. Albert Dow (NRCS), Piscataquis: Frost still coming out so farming operations have been held up due to soil condition. Donna Lamb (Ext), Piscataquis: Spreading manure is the major activity for the past week. Some livestock have been turned out onto sacrifice paddocks until the grass gets a little taller. Janet King (FSA), Somerset: Growers are still spreading and tilling. Still too wet and cold for much activity in the field. Rick Kersbergen (Ext), Waldo: Some sweet corn planted despite cool soil temperatures. Manure being spread on the drier fields. Pastures really greened up after brief period of sun and warm last week. Trudy Soucy (FSA), Knox/Lincoln: Sweet corn, peas and greens have been planted under crop cover. Greenhouse grown potted flowers are for sale at farm stands. Fertilizer application on blueberry fields underway. Lots of sun on the weekend helped green up pastures. Some land still too wet to till. Showers during the week held up burning blueberry fields. Dr. David Yarborough (Ext), Washington: Fields are being burned for pruning and pre-emergence herbicides are being applied. Bud scales on cropping fields. Buds are breaking and fungicides are being applied for mummyberry control. Michael Tardy (FSA), Androscoggin: We finally got a week where you could put away the long johns and still work outside. Lots of manure spread, some fertilizer put on, many acres of tillage - all events of the week. Some folks were able to seed down some early crops and grass. Most think the ground is still too cold for the corn seed. Some farmers are running into wet areas that slow down the process. We're on our way to another year of growing crops, with or without Mother Nature's help. Hang on. Parker Rand (FSA), Cumberland/York: Things are drying out fast. Lots of manure being spread, early ground being worked, and even some sweet corn and early vegetables in the ground. Gary Raymond (FSA), Franklin: This area received one of the most beneficial rainfalls that we have had in a long time. Time to fix those fences before the flies come out. Farmers' markets are selling seedlings. The sunshine was fantastic at Fenway Park yesterday. MASSACHUSETTS - Arthur Williams (FSA), Berkshire: Some hay seeding being done and farmers are spreading lime on the land. Tilling is being done for corn and there may be planting soon. Local FAV farmers selling bedding plants. Nurseries are busy with landscaping plant sales. No report from orchard owners, apples beginning bud stage. A large sweet corn producer is auctioning the sweet corn equipment plus other goods on May 3. Rain fall varied countywide from 0.25 to 1.25 inches in two heavy rain events this week, of short duration. Temperatures slightly below freezing at night, 50's during the day. Paul Russell (FSA), Southeast Massachusetts: Conditions remain unreasonably cool, however this past week was dry. A few growers could get into the drier fields to start planting vegetables etc. Cranberries are starting to awaken from their winter sleep. The season is approximately two weeks behind, however growers have been applying herbicides, installing sprinkler heads and preparing for frost season. Shellfish growers are planting seed and starting harvest. Shellfish are showing signs of growth, though market is still soft. Kip Graham (FSA), Worcester: Weather about 2-3 weeks behind. The cooler, wet weather delaying planting for most farmers. Some early crops are planted. The dairy farmers are still plowing, harrowing and spreading manure, lime and fertilizer. Greenhouses are preparing for hopefully huge sales for Mother's Day. Fence fixing around pastures and fields still a never-ending task. All in all, a slow start to the 2003 season. Frank Caruso (Ext), Plymouth: Cranberries: Only one rainy event and one frost night (Saturday into Sunday). Vines are greening up nicely. Every grower I have spoken to so far has been very pleased by the condition of the buds and satisfied by how the vines wintered. Growers are putting on herbicides, digging out ditches and finishing renovation projects. Insects are just getting active and soon some will be trapped in sweep nets. A significant percentage of the acreage was ice sanded in January. John Devine (FSA), Franklin: Moderating temperatures have quickened the pace of field work this week. Sweet corn and potato farmers have been going full speed to make up for lost time. Most dairy farms are trying to get manure spread, fields tilled and grass seedings planted. Most farms with forage crops are planning to start planting corn this coming week. Shade tobacco producers will be putting on side and top cloths this coming week. Most plants in greenhouses are getting a little leggy. Paul Fischer (FSA), Essex/Middlesex: Cool weather combined with some scattered showers slowed plant growth. Ted Smiarowski, Jr. (FSA), Hampshire/Hampden: Another mostly cool week with some rain showers. Harvesting fiddleheads and asparagus. 45 percent of the potato crop is planted. Also, planting sweet corn, lettuce, cabbage, carrots and parsnips. Fruit trees still in bud stage except plums are blossoming. Farmers are plowing, subsoiling and spreading lime and manure. Gary Guida, Worcester: Another great week for farm work. Everyone planting and plowing. Fields being fitted for plastic mulch. Plant sales picking up. Annuals in greenhouses look great and are in flower. Hanging baskets are awesome. NEW HAMPSHIRE - Amy Ouellette (Ext), Belknap: Fields being prepared for planting. Still waiting for many fields to dry out. Peas, onions, greenhouse tomatoes, and early sweet corn (under plastic) planted. Pastures are greening up, while being soil tested, limed and fertilized. First spray on apple trees. Tina Savage (Ext), Carroll: Still early for much activity in Carroll County. Hayfields and pastures greening up. Some work being done in the field. Apple trees in parts of the county ready for first scab spray. Heavy deer feeding damage in some orchards, and extreme cold this past winter was unkind to peaches. Moisture levels are just adequate despite the snowy winter, rain in recent days can only help. Carl Majewski (Ext), Cheshire: Mostly sunny, warm conditions except for a few showers on Thursday and some heavy rain and thunderstorms Friday afternoon. All the hayfields and pastures are green and growing rapidly. Farms are continuing to spread manure and finish top-dressing fertilizer on hayfields. More farms are starting tillage on corn ground - may plant later this week? Steve Turaj (Ext), Coos: Farms continue to prep fields for corn planting, with majority on higher ground now done. Some fields along the Connecticut river under water from recent heavy rains, a normal occurrence this time of year. High tunnels for vegetables getting planted. Greenhouse operations busy with openings this weekend. Pastures beginning to green-up. A few animals being grazed. Quite heavy rains during the week, still cold at night with occasional frosts. Tom Buob (Ext), Grafton: Rain late in the week helped alleviate the dryness. The dry weather has allowed for field work to progress, although it is still cool. New seedings, manure spreading and tillage to prep for corn planting were activities that occurred this week. Steve Schmidt (FSA), Grafton: Light rain at the end of last week helped a little with top soil moisture, however, we are still in a deficit situation. Subsoil moisture is still a very real concern. Corn is being planted, field conditions are further ahead due to drier than normal field conditions. According to one farmer, he was able to spread manure everywhere on the farm in the middle of April due to dry soil conditions. George Hamilton (Ext), Hillsborough: Field Crops: Farmers are liming and fertilizing hayfields; spreading manure, plowing, discing, fertilizing and getting ready to plant corn; fixing pasture fences; making new pasture and hayfield seedings. Vegetables: Early season vegetables (peas, lettuce, greens) are being planted, along with sweet corn and potatoes. Transplanting tomatoes into high tunnels. Liming, fertilizing, plowing, discing and getting ready plant fields. Starting to lay plastic and drip irrigation tape. Fruits: Apples and Peaches are at pink stage in earliest blooming areas. Plum trees are blooming. Planting fruit trees and fertilizing orchards. Protective fungicide sprays applied on fruit trees. David Seavey (Ext), Merrimack: Blueberries, raspberries, tree fruits and nursery stock were planted. Also planted were onions and asparagus. Field preparation for field corn and vegetables. Manure spreading underway. Orchardists still pruning. Blueberries and raspberries pruned. Dormant oil sprayed in apple orchards. Lots of winter injury on highbush blueberries and raspberries. Nursery stock arriving from the south also showing winter injury symptoms. Late spring has hampered garden center sales and landscaping projects. Pastures and hayland were fertilized. Nada Haddad (Ext), Rockingham: Sunny and a warmer week. A couple of nights, temperatures were as low as 31 degrees F. Pasture and hayfields are growing well. Preparing fields for planting. Liming and fertilizing crops. Planting very early vegetables, small fruits and tree fruits. Pruning blueberries and apples. Applying protective fungicides. Pam Marvin (FSA), Sullivan: Heavy rains came on Friday followed by sunshine, helping to green up the pasture and hay fields. Many cornfields have been plowed and fertilized, getting ready to be seeded. Very few acres have already been planted. Pruning of apple trees just about done. Crop fields being prepared for early vegetables. RHODE ISLAND - Karen Menezes (Ext), Newport: Rain midweek stalled some field work putting farmers even more behind. Active planting of potatoes. Cole crops being planted and fields being worked for additional summer crops. Roadside stands fully open and stocked with early spring plants, hanging baskets and vegetables. VERMONT - John St. Onge (FSA), Lamoille: Main farm activities last week included manure spreading and tilling of corn fields in preparation for planting. Crop conditions are looking good so far. Dave Blodgett (NRCS), Orleans: Landowners are repairing pasture fence, spreading manure and plowing corn fields. Planting has not yet begun. Livestock have not gone to pasture yet but will soon. Perley Sparrow (FSA), Windham: Week two in Windham County and the weather has not gotten any warmer. Last Friday we received about 3 inches of rain over the southern half of the county. Field corn ground is about ready, farmers are waiting for hotter days. Some sweet corn is planted and spiking through, early potatoes and other early vegetable are also planted. Apple orchardists are spraying the early application in anticipation of a good year. Jeff Carter (Ext), Addison: Started spring tillage for seed bed preparation. Manure spreading on some fields. Some fertilizer spread on hay fields. Liming of fields. No planting yet. Wet soils. Gary Braman (FSA) Orange/Windsor: A beautiful week to work the soil and prepare for planting. Farmers have been working full speed spreading manure, in some areas about 75% complete. Fencing is also a very busy project. Vegetable growers are enjoying the sunshine with rain the end of the week for good germination. Apple growers are reporting over one half in early bud stage. Dennis Kauppila (Ext), Caledonia: We welcomed the inch of rain on Friday. Farmers working on spreading manure, forage seedings, corn ground preparation, fencing. Grass starting to grow now. It was a long, cold winter, milk prices are low, not many dairy farmers are optimistic now. Chris Benedict (Ext), Chittenden: We had a solid warm-up last week. With a couple days up near 70 degrees, bud development has improved dramatically. Additionally, good amounts of moisture have proved helpful in getting the season underway. However, the rain last week was met with cooler temperatures and therefore disease issues were of concern. Nice week to work outdoors. Reporters are from: Extension Service (Ext), Farm Service Agency(FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), or other knowledgeable individuals. April 2003 Crop Weather Summary: Below average temperatures prevailed throughout most of April in New England, pushing the spring planting season behind normal schedules at many locations. Maple sugaring activities were mostly complete by mid-month; the maple industry anticipates reduced production due to extreme temperature changes during the spring. Higher than normal levels of precipitation were received throughout the region at month's end, putting a damper on fieldwork. Farm activities during the month included manure spreading, applying fertilizer, tending livestock, assisting with spring calving, prepping seed beds for planting; and performing general maintenance in preparation for spring planting. 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: Joe Sampson 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 ***********************