There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sept. 2. The topsoil and subsoil moisture ratings, along with hay supplies, were adequate. Pasture conditions were good. Corn and soybeans were in fair to good condition. Apples and peaches were in good condition. Average temperatures were warmer than normal with average temperatures ranging from 3 degrees to 8 degrees above normal. Rain totals varied greatly over the region, with 0.08 inch in Damascus to 3.20 inches in Sharpsburg. A Maryland crop reporter said "Forages and soybeans are looking good. Full season soybeans are starting to turn and double crop soybean pods are filling."
Corn progress was 98 percent dough, 70 percent dent, 36 percent mature and 9 percent harvested for grain. Corn silage harvest was 62 percent complete. The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 97 percent complete and the fourth cutting was 58 percent complete. The third cutting of other hay was 44 percent complete and the fourth cutting has just started. Soybeans were 100 percent blooming, 92 percent setting pods, 7 percent turning color and 1 percent dropping leaves. Potato harvest was 100 percent complete. Peaches were 98 percent harvested in Maryland. Apple harvest was 47 percent complete in Maryland.
Crop progress for the week ending Sept. 2
Crop This week Last week Last year 5-year avg.
Alfalfa hay, 3rd cutting 97 93 92 93
Alfalfa hay, 4th cutting 58 41 30 33
Alfalfa hay, 5th cutting 3 n/a n/a n/a
Other hay, 3rd cutting 44 35 39 51
Other hay, 4th cutting n/a n/a n/a 4
Corn, dough 98 95 99 98
Corn, dent 70 51 88 79
Corn, mature 36 28 44 33
Corn, harvested for silage 34 28 n/a 3
Corn, harvested for grain 9 2 11 8
Soybeans, bloomed 100 100 99 95
Soybeans, setting pods 92 84 90 86
Soybeans, turned 7 1 6 10
Soybeans, dropping leaves 1 n/a 1 4
Cucumbers, harvested 89 79 89 87
Lima beans, harvested (proc) 70 65 71 59
Potatoes, harvested 100 100 100 98
Snap beans, harvested 95 90 96 87
Sweet corn, harvested 89 84 87 86
Tomatoes, harvested 80 75 84 80
Cantaloupes, harvested 78 72 88 87
Watermelons, harvested 79 74 81 83
Apples, harvested 47 38 30 41
Peaches, harvested 98 96 94 92
Soil moisture conditions for the week ending Sept. 2
Condition Topsoil Moisture Subsoil Moisture
This week/last week This week/last week
Very short: 6/5 12/12
Short: 20/20 22/26
Adequate: 73/68 64/60
Surplus: 1/7 2/2
