USDA Crop Progress Report: 3% of Corn Planted.

Apr 14, 2014

USDA Crop Progress Report Was Released.

http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProg/CropProg-04-14-2014.pdf

Highlights:

USDA reports corn planting is underway.

As of Sunday, 3% of the crop is planted, compared to 2% a year ago and the five year average of 6%. Winter like conditions during the early part of this week will delay fieldwork in some areas, but the precipitation is helping recharge soil moisture levels.

Winter wheat ratings dipped over the past week with large portions of the Southern Plains remaining much drier than normal. 34% of the crop is called good to excellent, with 34% rated fair and 32% in poor to very poor shape. 5% of winter wheat has headed, compared to 4% this time last year.

6% of spring wheat is planted, compared to 5% a year ago.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.