Washington County Under Hot Weather Stress
Andy Andreasen
County Extension Director - Ag/Livestock
Washington County
amajr@ufl.edu
Issue/Alert Affecting Crop: Temperatures in the high 90's with heat indexes between 103-108 degrees for the past two weeks have had a tremendous effect on crops and livestock. Heat stress may take a heavy toll on livestock fertility in some herds where producers are trying to get cows with spring born calves rebred. Pastures are declining at a rapid pace.
Photo Credits: Les Harrison
Corn is suffering terribly. Other field crops are holding their own for now, but an area-wide rain is needed to provide much needed moisture across the whole county and to cool things down. The few showers that arrived were very spotty. Currently, the wildfire hazard is extremely high.
Army worms are active in most of Southwest Georgia and popping up in panhandle hay fields. Scouting fields at least once per week for the remainder of the growing season is recommended.
