Due to wet weather, small grain harvest is running about a week behind schedule. Although growers are anxious to get full-season crops planted, it may be worth their while to take time to collect soil samples directly following harvest. The rains that have delayed harvest may have also washed essential nutrients from the root zone, especially on sandy soils.
 

Dr. David Hardy, Soil Testing Section chief with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, urges growers in eastern counties to be proactive in making sure their crops are sufficiently fertilized.

SC Ag Commissioner Releases Statement Regarding Failure of the Farm Bill

South Carolina’s Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers released a statement yesterday commending and thanking two SC representatives; Tom Rice and Joe Wilson for voting for the failed bill in the House last week. Weathers also said that moving forward, he encouraged South Carolina’s other US representatives to focus on the bill’s agricultural merits and to maintain the traditional bi-partisan nature for creation of a farm bill. Commissioner Weathers also urged all South Carolinians to thank those members of Congress who supported the 2013 Farm Bill and to encourage the other members to see the importance of such a bill.
 

There Will Not be Another Extension to the Farm Bill
 

Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow has told another key Ag Senator she will not support a second extension of farm law – the House must pass a new farm bill. Following on the heels of Monday’s statement by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that there will be no more farm bill extensions – Longtime Ag Senator Chuck Grassley says…
 

“I had a discussion with Chairman Stabenow and she said I could quote her that she is not going to extend the existing farm bill for one more year. The house better figure out a way to get a bill to Congress so we can get a bill to the President.”

But with some analysts predicting an extension over a new bill – Grassley admits Stabenow and Reid may be using pressure tactics on the House – if only to avoid reverting to permanent 1940s law