Conditions Look too Much Like 2002 for Agriculture

Wheat yields in the area have not been much to brag about this season but the weather has cooperated to the extreme. The harvest has been winding down at a very fast pace because of no rain. Even though yields have been better, good reports are being heard from test weights. When test weights are good (60 pounds of wheat per bushel or better), the millers of wheat do not dock the price and are willing to buy it. Most of our farmers would have liked to have made a better yield to go with reasonable prices being offered, but this appears to be another trying year for local growers.

Harold McLamb, Clemson Extension director, emeritus, keeps an unofficial daily record of rainfall received in Bishopville and provides it to the Lee County Extension Office on a monthly basis. Based on these reports, Lee County is about 0.6 inch of cumulative rainfall off the 2002 record for the period of January thru May 30^th. The only significant difference in the two years to date was the amount of available water going into the 2004 season. There was more groundwater available to begin the season this year thanks to plentiful rainfall in 2003. Lee County received only 28 inches of rainfall the whole season in 2001 which put growers in a demise beginning the 2002 planting season.

We should not forget 2002 culminated four straight drought years and 2002 was one of the worst droughts on record. 2003 offered a big sigh of relief for most crops (wheat was so-so because of too much water early in the season that also prevented planting of much corn and some cotton acres). Mother Nature just won’t let us run things. After an extremely dry March in the county (0.39 inches) this season, April allowed us a token 1.03 inches. May has provided the area with 4.6 inches of rainfall giving us a total of 12.9 inches since January 1^st. The same period in 2002 showed 13.5 inches thru May.

Much of the earlier planted cotton this time had enough moisture to germinate and make a reasonable stand; however, this cotton needs water. There is still some cotton in the county planted the first week of May that has not germinated due to insufficient rainfall. Dr. Mike Jones, Clemson Extension cotton specialist, visited cotton variety plots recently planted in the Elliott area in early May that was just cracking the ground. Some of this cotton that had reached an inch or two tall was dieing due to a shortage of water in the root zone.

The corn crop is suffering. Some fields are beginning to tassel and silk, meaning this is the time for highest water demand for the crop. Corn yields will obviously be hurt. Tobacco seems to be weathering the dry conditions but will probably require early topping of some plants due to stress. So far, there has not been much talk of Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus in tobacco, but it is evident in spots in some of the fields. This disease spread by thrips insects usually runs rampant in dry weather. The tobacco crop historically has been the one crop that has consistently made a profit for local farmers, but continuous quota cuts has played havoc for tobacco farm families in the area.

Soybeans have always had to ride in the back seat in Lee County. Some of our growers switched over to soybeans as a primary crop (giving the beans some of the best land) a number of years ago. In the last two or three years soybeans are getting more attention. This year there were early maturity group soybeans germinating and making a stand before some of the cotton was even planted. This is a change for our area. The market has been favorable for soybeans to show a profit, provided a yield can be attained. Soybeans are cheaper to grow than our other crops even though the new technology is not cheap. There is some delay in late soybean planting (double cropped with wheat) due to lack of moisture but there is still time for this crop to be planted and make a return on the investment.

Last Chance for Poultry Training

Bryan Smith, Clemson Extension coordinator for the CAMM program (Confined Animal Manure Manager), reminds operators of confined animal facilities of needed training. All facility operators permitted by S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control are required to attend CAMM training by June 28, 2004. The last training available for those who have not attended a training session is June 23^rd for poultry folks at the Sandhill Research & Education Center Lakehouse between Pontiac and Columbia adjacent to Hwy. #1. If you plan to attend, contact Bryan Smith immediately to sign up at 864-984-2514. The cost is $55 per person. If you have questions about this, contact your local Clemson Extension office or Smith.