By Blake Jackson
Pennsylvania farmers made steady progress in the fields last week, according to the latest report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
For the week ending April 13, 2025, producers had an average of 3.5 days suitable for fieldwork as weather conditions allowed limited but productive activity.
Topsoil moisture levels were mostly favorable, with 66 percent rated adequate, although 6 percent of the state reported very short supplies and 20 percent short.
Subsoil moisture, however, was more strained, with 10 percent very short and half of the state’s subsoil moisture rated as short. Forty percent of subsoil moisture was still in the adequate range.
In terms of crop development, apple growers reported 85 percent of their trees at the green tip stage, ahead of both last year’s 59 percent and the five-year average.
Pink stage apples were reported at 5 percent, though historical data for this point is limited. Peach trees were also showing strong development, with 60 percent at green tip, compared to 29 percent the same time last year.
Oat planting advanced to 30 percent, ahead of last week’s 17 percent and outperforming both last year and the five-year average. Spring tillage work also moved forward, with 42 percent of the work now complete across Pennsylvania farms.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-kotenko-a
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops