Each week during the row crop growing season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) publishes a weekly crop report, looking at how specific crops are progressing and more. This time of the year, the report looks mostly at weather conditions and the crops that are grown at this time.
According to NASS, January temperatures in Alabama have been on par with historic averages. Total rainfall for the month, as of this past Sunday, ranged from 0.8 inches to 5.7 inches. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 23% of the state was experiencing abnormally dry conditions, compared to 8% at the beginning of the month.
Agricultural activities were normal for the time of year, with no extraordinary events or pest pressure to report. Winter wheat was progressing well, and its condition was rated average to above average. Strawberries were progressing nicely. Cattle remained in mostly good condition, as the growth of winter grazing ranged from insufficient to abundant, with southern counties having the best growth. The quantity of hay and other supplements provided by livestock producers was based on the availability of grazing. Hay stocks remained adequate throughout the state.
In addition to normal field activities for this time of year, some Alabama producers continued to work on repairing or rebuilding structures that were damaged by hurricanes Sally and Zeta.