NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana's corn crop is finally in but continued rains in the region have slowed the harvest of other crops.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in its weekly crop report, said 17 percent of Louisiana's cotton and 1 percent of Mississippi's was in as of Sunday — a pace well off the five-year average of more than 40 percent harvested.
In Mississippi, where USDA considered about three days last week suitable for field work, 82 percent of the corn crop was in. That compared to the average of 98 percent.
Soil moisture was rated adequate or surplus in 93 percent of Louisiana and 98 percent of Mississippi.
The sogginess is creating quality concerns: USDA rated more than a quarter of Mississippi's corn and soybean crops as being in poor or very poor condition.