With the onset of spring, farmers are busy getting out into the fields and starting their planting.  Variable weather across the nation has led to a variety of weather- and climate-related impacts on agriculture.  Here are some links to stories on some of these impacts.

AgWeb reported that soggy soils from heavy rains in the Mississippi Delta are delaying planting.  Some farmers may shift from corn to soybeans or cotton due to the problems getting into the fields (link).  A separate AgWeb article details one Louisiana farmer’s trouble with his corn crop due to the wet conditions (link).

Rome Ethredge reported in the Seminole Crop E-News that the corn recently planted is really popping due to recent warm conditions (link).

Crop diversity in the South is the subject of another AgWeb article (link).  Farmers in the South have the advantage of a longer growing season and a greater choice of crops to plant, giving them extra flexibility when planting time is hampered by adverse weather conditions.  That allows them to shift to soybeans or sorghum if planting is delayed due to field conditions.

The Packer reported that Vidalia onions are running about ten days behind normal this year due to colder than normal conditions in the beginning of 2015.  They are expected to ship on April 27 when they have reached proper maturity (link).

Source: Team Georgia.gov
Source: Team Georgia.gov