- NASS: Ark Corn harvest complete
- Rice 92 percent harvested, sorghum at 98 percent
- Winter wheat 44 percent planted
Arkansas’ corn harvest is complete and winter wheat planting is nearing the halfway point, according to the crop progress report issued Monday by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The NASS report said:
- 100 percent of cotton bolls had opened, with 54 percent harvested
- Rice was 92 percent harvested
- Sorghum was 98 percent harvested
- Soybeans were 60 percent harvested and
- Winter wheat was 44 percent planted with 24 percent emerged.
Pasture and range were 46 percent fair, 44 percent good and 4 percent in excellent condition. Non-alfalfa hay was rated 59 percent fair, 32 percent good and 3 percent excellent.
“From today's NASS report, harvest progress is now in line with the five-year average on all crops except cotton,” said Scott Stiles, extension economist for the University of Arkansas system Division of Agriculture. “Cotton harvest is at least a full week behind the average pace.”
With yield reports on the positive side, “In my opinion, we'll see the USDA raise U.S. corn and soybean yield estimates next month in the Nov. 8 ‘Crop Production’ report,” Stiles said.
So far this fall, the weather has been a help.
“We have more than 70 percent of wheat planted in our county,” said Hank Chaney, Faulkner County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Right now, we’re trying to whittle out a few more soybeans. The weather kind of cooled down and the beans are taking their time.”
Even though there’s been rain, “it’s not been the flooding kind,” allowing harvest to progress without damaging the fields, he said.
Flows from the southwest were warming parts of the state, with highs expected to rise to near 80 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of a cold front. The front was expected to trigger thunderstorms Tuesday through Thursday night, some of them possibly severe, the National Weather Service said.
“We are kind of concerned with the weather coming in,” Chaney said. “It’s going to make it muddy -- more of a mess.”
Keith Perkins, Lonoke County extension agent said harvest of corn and sorghum in his county is complete and most of the rice is in, with the bean harvest “rolling along.”
“We would like several sunny days in a row to finish harvest but looks like we may have some rain coming forcing us to finish harvest in the mud if it is a large rain,” he said. “Each day gets us one closer to being done each rainy day will delay us one to three days depends on the sun and wind.”
Source : uaex.edu