By Blake Jackson
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, via the National Agricultural Statistics Service, reports favorable field conditions for the week ending April 14, 2024. With two suitable days for fieldwork, farmers were able to make progress on spring tillage activities, achieving a 10% completion rate, surpassing the 7% recorded the previous week.
Soil moisture levels were optimal, with both topsoil and subsoil categorized as primarily adequate to surplus. Notably, there were no reports of very short or short topsoil moisture, and only 3% of subsoil moisture fell into the short category. These ideal conditions bode well for upcoming planting activities.
The report highlights progress in apple development. Green apple development reached 15%, slightly exceeding the 14% observed at this point last year. Additionally, the report marks the initiation of development for pink apples, a later-maturing variety.
The report presents an optimistic outlook for New York agriculture. Favorable weather and ideal soil moisture levels have enabled farmers to make headway with spring activities, laying the foundation for a potentially fruitful season.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fotokostic
Categories: New York, Crops