Ohio Ag Connection - Ohio Farmers Get Less Than 1 Day to Work Due to Weather

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Ohio Farmers Get Less Than 1 Day to Work Due to Weather
Ohio Ag Connection - 05/25/2010

The average temperature for Ohio was 61.3 degrees, 1.7 degrees below normal for the week ending Sunday, reports the state field office of USDA's National Ag Statistics Service. Precipitation averaged 1.76 inches, 0.90 inches above normal. There were 78 modified growing degree days, 22 days below normal. Reporters rated 0.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the seven-day period ending Friday. Topsoil moisture was rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 35 percent adequate, and 64 percent surplus.

The weather continued to be wet throughout the state and there were some reports of damage to crops due to rain. Some farmers were still evaluating frost damage from previous weeks and are waiting for the fields to dry out.

As of Sunday, 87 percent of corn had been planted, which was 16 percent ahead of last year and 3 percent ahead of the five-year average. Seventy-four percent of corn had emerged, compared to 33 percent last year and 58 percent for the five-year average. Soybeans planted reached 48 percent, compared to 40 percent last year and 62 percent for the five-year average. Thirty-two percent of soybeans had emerged, which was 22 percent ahead of last year and 4 percent ahead of the five-year average. Ninety-eight percent of the winter wheat was jointed, which was 1 percent ahead of last year and even with the five-year average.

Winter wheat headed was 60 percent, compared to 37 percent last year and 39 percent for the five-year average. Winter wheat turning coloring reached 1 percent.

Ninety-eight percent of oats were planted, which was even with last year, but 2 percent behind the five-year average. Ninety percent of oats were emerged, compared to 87 percent last year and 95 percent for the five-year average. Oats headed reached 6 percent by the end of the week, which was 4 percent ahead of last year and 2 percent ahead of the five-year average. Fourteen percent of the first cutting of alfalfa hay was complete, compared to 21 percent last year and 13 percent for the five-year average. Eight percent of the first cutting of other hay was complete, which was 7 percent behind last year and 2 percent behind of the five-year average.

Ninety-eight percent of the peaches were in full bloom, which was 8 percent ahead of last year and 1 percent ahead of the five-year average. Apples in full bloom were at 96 percent, which was 2 percent ahead of last year, but 3 percent behind the five-year average. Thirty-six percent of cucumbers were planted, compared to 35 percent last year and 17 percent for the five-year average. Twenty-three percent of strawberries were harvested, which was 10 percent ahead of last year and 14 percent ahead of the five-year average. Potatoes planted were 60 percent, which was 7 percent behind last year, and 21 percent behind the five-year average. Seven percent of processing tomatoes were planted, compared to 32 percent last year and 36 percent for the five-year average.

Eighty percent of the livestock were in fair-to-good condition, which was unchanged from last week. Winter wheat was rated at 73 percent in fair-to-good condition, which was unchanged from last week. Apples were rated at 76 percent in fair-to-good condition, which was down two percent from last week. Seventy-one percent of peaches were in fair-to-good condition, which was down nine percent from last week. Hay was rated at 83 percent in fair-to-good condition, which was up five percent from last week. Eighty-seven percent of the oats were rated in fair-to-good condition, which was unchanged from last week. Pasture and range were rated in 78 percent fair-to-good condition, which was up two percent from last week. Eighty-five percent of the corn was rated in fair-to-good condition, which was unchanged from last week. Strawberries were rated in 77 percent fair-to-good condition, which was down two percent from last week.