NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Heat and uneven rainfall shaped field conditions across much of the country during the week ending July 12. Winter wheat harvest moved forward, while corn, soybeans, cotton, rice, and specialty crops entered increasingly important reproductive stages. Drought continued raising forage and irrigation concerns in several livestock and crop regions.
Great Plains
- Texas: Hot, dry conditions increased irrigation demand across the Plains and western production areas. Cotton development continued, while pasture and range conditions remained highly variable and livestock producers monitored forage and water supplies.
- Oklahoma: Winter wheat harvest neared completion as producers shifted attention to hay, summer crops, and livestock. Heat increased moisture stress in drier western areas, while scattered rainfall helped crops and pastures elsewhere.
- Kansas: Wheat harvest advanced rapidly where fields were dry enough to support equipment. Corn and soybeans continued developing, but producers watched heat and moisture availability during pollination and early pod development.
- Nebraska: Corn moved deeper into reproductive development as irrigation systems operated across dry areas. Soybeans and dry edible beans progressed, while livestock producers monitored pasture condition and stock-water availability.
- South Dakota: Small-grain development and haying continued around scattered rainfall. Corn and soybeans generally advanced, but dry pockets increased concern about pasture growth and yield potential.
- North Dakota: Spring wheat, barley, canola, and pulse crops continued developing under mixed moisture conditions. Producers worked on hay where possible and monitored disease, insects, and heat stress.
Midwest
- Iowa: Corn pollination expanded while soybeans continued blooming and setting pods. Rain benefited many fields, although wet areas faced disease pressure and limited opportunities for spraying and hay work.
- Missouri: Heat accelerated corn and soybean development and increased moisture demand. Winter wheat harvest wound down, while double-crop soybean planting and hay harvest continued where field conditions allowed.
- Illinois: Corn and soybeans moved through critical reproductive stages with generally adequate moisture. Producers monitored disease and insect pressure as warm weather encouraged rapid crop growth.
- Indiana: Corn silking and soybean blooming advanced. Scattered rainfall supported crop development, although wet fields complicated fungicide applications and hay harvest in some areas.
- Ohio: Corn and soybeans continued progressing under warm, humid conditions. Wheat harvest advanced, while producers watched for disease problems and worked around intermittent rainfall.
- Kentucky: Corn, soybeans, tobacco, and hay crops advanced under summer heat. Rainfall benefited some areas but delayed wheat harvest cleanup, double-crop planting, and forage work elsewhere.
Delta & South
- Arkansas: Rice, cotton, corn, and soybeans moved further into reproductive stages. Irrigation demand remained active, while scattered storms provided localized relief and created disease concerns in humid fields.
- Louisiana: Rice harvest preparations increased in southern areas as early fields matured. Cotton, soybeans, sugarcane, and pastures responded to uneven rainfall, with irrigation remaining important in dry locations.
- Mississippi: Corn approached maturity in early fields, while cotton and soybeans continued flowering and setting fruit. Hot conditions increased crop water use and livestock stress.
- Tennessee: Corn and soybeans advanced rapidly, with rainfall supporting many areas. Producers continued hay harvest and monitored disease pressure, weeds, and heat-related livestock concerns.
- Alabama: Cotton, peanuts, corn, and soybeans developed under hot and humid weather. Scattered rainfall helped pastures and crops but limited fieldwork in wetter locations.
- Georgia: Peanuts and cotton continued blooming and setting fruit as irrigation use increased. Corn harvest approached in the south, while disease and insect management remained active.
- Florida: Summer rains supported pastures and specialty crops but increased disease pressure and disrupted field operations. Cattle condition remained tied to rainfall distribution and forage quality.
- South Carolina: Corn moved closer to harvest while cotton, peanuts, and soybeans continued reproductive development. Hot weather and uneven rainfall created sharp differences between irrigated and dryland fields.
- North Carolina: Tobacco harvest expanded in early areas as corn, cotton, soybeans, and peanuts progressed. Rainfall benefited many crops but increased disease risks and complicated hay work.
- Virginia: Corn and soybeans continued developing, while small-grain harvest and double-crop soybean planting moved toward completion. Pasture conditions varied with rainfall, and producers continued making hay.
West & Southwest
- New Mexico: Heat and drought maintained pressure on rangeland, livestock water, and irrigated crops. Producers continued cutting hay and managing limited water supplies.
- Arizona: Cotton advanced under extreme heat, supported by irrigation. Vegetable, melon, and forage operations continued while producers managed heat stress and rising water demand.
- California: Fruit, nut, vegetable, and field-crop harvests continued across multiple regions. Heat increased irrigation requirements and raised concerns for livestock, orchards, and vineyards.
- Nevada: Hay harvest and irrigation remained major activities. High temperatures increased water demand and reduced pasture growth in drier areas.
- Utah: Small grains, hay, and specialty crops continued developing under warm conditions. Irrigation supplies and rangeland moisture remained important concerns.
- Colorado: Winter wheat harvest expanded across eastern areas while corn advanced toward pollination. Dryness increased irrigation and pasture concerns, particularly where rainfall remained limited.
Northwest & Northern Rockies
- Montana: Winter and spring grains continued maturing as hay harvest moved forward. Heat and dry conditions increased concern about rangeland, wildfire risk, and yield potential.
- Wyoming: Haying and irrigation continued under warm weather. Range and pasture conditions varied sharply depending on spring moisture and recent rainfall.
- Idaho: Winter wheat and barley matured as potato, sugarbeet, and dry bean crops progressed. Irrigation remained active, and producers monitored heat stress and disease pressure.
- Washington: Winter wheat moved toward harvest in the driest areas, while fruit harvests and irrigation continued. Heat increased water use and accelerated crop maturity.
- Oregon: Small grains, grass seed, hay, and specialty crops advanced. Dry summer weather favored harvest but increased irrigation demand and wildfire concerns.
Northeast
- Pennsylvania: Corn and soybeans continued rapid development with generally favorable moisture. Winter wheat harvest and hay work progressed between showers.
- New York: Corn, soybeans, vegetables, and fruit crops advanced under warm conditions. Rainfall supported growth but created disease pressure and slowed hay harvest in wetter areas.
- New Jersey: Vegetable, blueberry, and field-crop harvests remained active. Heat and humidity increased irrigation needs and pest-management pressure.
- Delaware: Corn and soybeans entered reproductive stages while wheat harvest and double-crop planting concluded. Producers monitored moisture stress and crop disease.
- Maryland: Corn, soybeans, vegetables, and hay crops developed under warm weather. Rainfall distribution remained uneven, creating mixed crop and pasture conditions.
- West Virginia: Hay harvest continued where weather allowed, while corn and pasture growth responded to scattered rainfall. Livestock producers monitored forage supplies in drier counties.
- Maine: Potato and small-grain crops continued developing as producers managed weeds, insects, and disease. Hay harvest advanced during dry periods.
- New Hampshire: Haying, vegetable harvest, and fieldwork continued around rainfall. Pastures generally benefited from moisture, although humid conditions increased disease concerns.
- Vermont: Corn and hay crops advanced with adequate moisture in many areas. Wet fields continued slowing forage harvest in some locations.
- Massachusetts: Fruit and vegetable harvests expanded as field crops progressed. Heat increased irrigation needs, while humidity favored disease development.
- Rhode Island: Vegetable and hay harvests continued under warm summer conditions. Producers managed irrigation and disease pressure between rainfall events.
- Connecticut: Sweet corn, vegetables, fruit, and hay moved through active harvest periods. Hot weather accelerated crop development and raised water demand.
Upper Midwest & Great Lakes
- Minnesota: Corn and soybeans advanced into reproductive stages while small grains matured. Rainfall benefited many fields but left localized areas too wet for spraying and haying.
- Wisconsin: Corn, soybeans, oats, and hay crops progressed under warm, humid conditions. Producers worked between showers and monitored disease pressure in dense crop canopies.
- Michigan: Corn, soybeans, dry beans, fruit, and vegetable crops continued developing. Rain supported growth, while humid weather increased disease and pest-management needs.
Far North, Hawaii & Territories
- Alaska: Hay, barley, potatoes, and vegetable crops benefited from long summer daylight. Producers continued fieldwork while monitoring localized dryness and wildfire conditions.
- Hawaii: Tropical fruit, coffee, vegetables, and livestock operations continued under varied rainfall. Dry leeward areas remained dependent on irrigation and careful pasture management.
- Puerto Rico: Plantain, coffee, vegetable, and livestock operations received mixed rainfall. Producers continued managing tropical heat, moisture, and disease pressure.
