BY JAMES W. SMITH

A growing season that started out looking promising turned into a very mediocre year for most growers, mainly due to weather. The 1998 growing season, April to October, was on the warm side, but within the range of historical normal temperatures recorded at Stoneville, MS, since 1915. However, six new record highs were recorded; three in May, one in June, and two in October. September was one of the hottest months on record.

The largest departures from normal were in the categories of rainfall and evaporation. During this growing season, much of the Delta experienced a deficit of almost 6-inches of rainfall and evaporation was 5 inches over normal. This means we suffered an eleven-inch deficit in moisture compared to the norm.

With cotton acreage down throughout the Delta, growers were hoping for a combination of good yields and higher prices to usher in a comeback for cotton. Neither materialized despite high hopes. Even with low insect pest pressure, an early crop, and nearly ideal harvesting conditions, most Delta growers experienced average to below average yields. Even cotton that appeared well fruited throughout the season suffered from small bolls and experienced a 200-300 pound reduction in yield. Several cotton gins reported a 33% reduction in bales ginned despite similar acreage as in 1997.

Hot, dry weather, especially high nighttime temperatures, can account for most of the yield reduction reflected by the fact that certain areas that caught key rains had higher average yields. One pest that was extremely severe during 1998 was the cotton boll weevil especially in the uneradicated Delta area. Because of the mild winter and the increase in Bt cotton, which reduces overall insecticide use, boll weevil populations have increased throughout most of the Delta.

If we donÕt have a very cold winter, we will see high levels of boll weevils entering cotton next Spring over most of the Delta. Faced with this prospect, many Delta cotton growers will be voting for boll weevil eradication the next time a referendum is held. But, the less than desired yields and unfavorable cotton prices do not make cotton a crop that will create much excitement in 1999.

Soybeans also suffered from the high temperatures and dry conditions. Delta soybean yields were probably reduced 25% overall in 1998. Increased late-season pressure from leaf feeding worms also caused yield problems for soybeans growers. More acres were treated for insect pests during 1998 than previous years. With a Delta average of 25 bushels per acre and a price of $5.50, soybeans were much less profitable in 1998 than for several years. But soybean growers are optimistic; hoping that reduced production cost and improved varieties will make the possibilities for profits better for the soybean grower. We should not see a decline in soybean acreage for 1999.

Rice growers faired somewhat better but are still glad the 1998 season is over. Most rice growers reported yields between 120 and 150 bushels per acre, but there was variation from these yields with some growers reporting bumper crops. The dry weather during the growing season caused some problems with maintaining a flood and high temperatures, especially at night, reduced grain weight and thus reduced yields. Generally, milling yields are running lower than normal, which results from rice being grown under stress. Mississippi is still primarily a one-variety state with Lemont being grown on 73% of the 267,000 acres planted in 1998.

Corn, the new large acreage crop in the Delta, suffered the most. Hot, dry weather, reduced yields and a fungal infection producing aflatoxin caused a lot of the Delta crop to be extremely discounted or not sold at all. Corn with aflatoxin levels of over 20 ppb was discounted and corn with levels over 110 ppb was not bought by the grain merchant of the Delta.

Aflatoxin is a toxic chemical byproduct from the growth of the fungus, Aspergillus flavus, on the corn kernels. Grain containing aflatoxin can be toxic to animals, especially young animals and poultry. Thus, grain-handling facilities routinely test samples from each load before accepting delivery. Aflatoxin levels in our Delta crop only occur at the high levels we saw in 1998 about once every ten years. The extreme aflatoxin levels were more general in the northern part of the Delta with Panola County experiencing up to 80% aflatoxin infestation.

Delta catfish farmers generally had a good year during 1998 with low feed prices being the main positive element. Delta catfish farmers feeding 100,000+ water acres received an average of $0.76 per pound for their fish this past season. Although pond yields were higher, less than ideal pricing and increased disease pressure kept 1998 from being an ideal catfish-growing year.

Nineteen ninety-eight held few bright spots for Delta agriculture. But, the question now is what will growers plant in 1999? Most experts are predicting a sharp decrease in corn acreage and probably a continued decline in cotton acreage. Rice and soybean acreage will probably stay the same or increase slightly. Delta growers are hoping to be dealt a better hand in 1999, whatever they grow. Because of the tremendous effect of agriculture on the economy of the Delta, we all hope for improved commodity prices, better weather conditions, and reduced pest populations. DBJ

HOME || SUBSCRIBE || CIRCULATION || ADVERTISING || CONTACT DBJ