Pennsylvania Ag Connection - Pennsylvania Farmers See First Snowfall

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Pennsylvania Farmers See First Snowfall
Pennsylvania Ag Connection - 11/13/2019

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Pennsylvania, there were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday. Topsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 87 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus.

Pasture conditions ranged from 8 percent poor, 41 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 6 percent excellent.

Reporters are from Extension Service (Ext), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Conservation District (CD), farmers, commodity specialists, or other knowledgeable individuals.

ADAMS County, Judy Behney: Adams County started the week out with cold temperatures in the low 30s with heavy frost. Daytime temperatures were 50's. Thursday we received half inch of rainfall in York Springs. Temperatures are dropping as cold front moves in. Corn and soybeans continue to be harvested when conditions are favorable. Some corn stalks are going down with the wet weather and winds the past week making combining a little more difficult. Soybeans and corn yields are all over the place depending on when they were planted. Still a fair amount of both corn and soybeans to be combined throughout the county. Wheat, rye and other forage seedings planted late August early September are looking better however not known yet how root systems will be since it was dry and took a while before they emerged. Apple harvest is complete but may be some original pink lady variety still out there. Yields vary across the county and quality also depending on your location and the weather this past year. Vegetables are done unless in high tunnel as heavy frost last weekend and a few days this week ended those grown outside. Producers are busy harvesting and readying their farming operations for winter months which is quickly approaching. Producers are reminded to report fall seeded small grains and new fall forage crops to their local FSA offices before the Nov. 15 deadline.

ADAMS/FRANKLIN counties, Thomas Kerr: Showers and hard freeze ended any hope of finishing soybean harvest this week.

BRADFORD County, Casey Guindon: Much of the county has experienced the first snow of the season this past week. Corn silage and soybean harvest are wrapping up, and corn grain harvest is in full swing. Manure spreading was a common activity across farms in Bradford County this week.

CENTRE County, Dick A. Decker: Fall field work, corn and soybean harvest, manure hauling corn stalk shredding etc. continued during the week, 1/2 inch rainfall.

DAUPHIN/PERRY counties, Liz Bosak: Cooler temperatures and repeated frosts occurred last week. Harvest activities continue for both corn and soybeans when field conditions permit them. Most barley and winter wheat plantings have emerged.

JUNIATA/SNYDER counties, William C. Sheaffer: Fall harvesting is continuing as soil conditions permit with the yields being above average in most situations. Winter grains and cover crops are looking good. Harvesting, spreading manure and preparing machinery for winter storage were the main activities for the week.

LANCASTER County, Jeff Graybill: Another week with widespread rainfall across the county. Wet humid weather has put a hold on taking the last of corn and soybeans. Some farms have started stripping tobacco, initial indications show excellent yield and quality. Many hemp growers have finished harvest and are drying their product. Several frosts have put into question the quality of what remains in the field.

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