Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending June 15, 2014.
Heavy, consistent rainfall continued to be a detriment to producers, especially those who are trying to finish planting soybeans, harvest wheat, or get hay baled. There were only 2 days suitable for field work last week. Some fields have been drowned out, there is the threat of weeds posing a serious problem, and some side-dress nitrogen is being applied by plane. One of the bright spots in this is that wheat that did get harvested indicated strong yields. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 55 percent adequate and 36 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 27 percent surplus.
County Agent Comments
Scattered showers and wet ground continues to delay planting and weed control spraying.
–Tim Campbell, Dyer County
Heavy rains have prolonged bean planting and many acres of emerged corn, beans, and cotton have been lost due to flooding.
–Timothy Smith, Obion County
The farmers in Fayette County need some sun and dry weather. Wet conditions and rain on Thursday night just added a few more days to farmers being able to get into their fields. Weeds are becoming an issue for many.
–Jeff Via, Fayette County
There was no significant farming activities that took place County-wide this week due to rain. Producers are ready to start harvesting what appears to potentially be a high-yielding wheat crop. Hay producers are making their first harvest but rain is hampering progress.
–Walter Battle, Haywood County
Noticed green snap in corn this week. Thrips are still in high numbers on our cotton crop. Weeds are starting to break through the 1st pre-emerge herbicide and we are in need of putting down a second application. Soybeans are good.
–Jake Mallard, Madison County
Another week of almost daily rainfall has put grain producers further behind on the calendar. Some producers are attempting to apply side-dress nitrogen to corn by airplane as well as applying herbicides by the same manner. Ground equipment has been idled for the most part. Wheat producers are getting nervous about the delayed harvest and grain quality issues.
–Jeff Lannom, Madison County
Very little farm work done this week due to the 10 inches of rain received over the last 8 days. There are still several acres of row crops standing in water. Several acres of wheat laid down this week due to stormy weather.
–Kevin Rose, Giles County
Excess rain has caused quite a bit of drowning out in many fields. Time will tell how much permanent damage has been done. Many forage producers have fields of hay still standing while small grain producers have fields of wheat and oats lying flat on the ground.
–Ricky Skillington, Marshall County
Rain off-and-on all week has kept farmers out of fields which have remained saturated from last week’s rains of 8-10 inches. Some corn and beans in low lying areas has been damaged by the standing water and some upland fields have had some erosion taking place. First cutting of hay is delayed also. Some fescue hay remains uncut.
–Richard Groce, Maury County
We have not been in the field this week. We need to cut wheat but it’s too wet. Some folks have not made 1st cutting of hay because of wet conditions. Our Bermuda and crabgrass is late this year and we’ve had some winter kill in Bermuda.
–Larry Moorehead, Moore County
Frequent showers are hindering hay making efforts, final planting and wheat harvest. Farmers have been applying some fungicides/insecticides when there appeared to be a long enough rain free break in the forecast.
–Mitchell Mote, Rutherford County
No field work or haying occurred this week due to rain. Standing hay is over-mature and quality is declining. Cattle are in good condition.
–A., Ruth Correll, Wilson County
Showers throughout the week kept field activities to a minimum. Rainfall for the week ranged from 1.5 to nearly 3.0 inches in a few isolated areas. Good moisture has corn, cotton and soybeans in excellent condition. Early planted corn is on the verge of tasselling. A few acres of wheat were harvested at week’s end. Canola producers applying crop desiccant between showers. A small amount of canola was harvested at the beginning of the week with yields in the mid to upper 60 bushels. Wet conditions are not favorable for the remainder of the hay crop; however, early cut hay and pastures looking good.
–Ed Burns, Franklin County
We saw some good moisture. Farmers didn’t get to do all that much work, but our crops look fairly good. We noticed quite a few trees down throughout the county due to the weather this week.
–Jared Goad, Marion County
Much-needed rain arrived with most of the county receiving three or more inches for the week. With the rain, row-crops are starting to improve. A few livestock producers are still feeding hay due to short grass.
–John Wilson, Blount County
Eastern Knox County in a very dry, severe drought. West and South Knox County received between 1 and 3 inches.
–Neal Denton, Knox County
Scattered storms all week stopped field work. Some hay cut but never dry enough to rake or bale. Wheat is about ready to combine. Hay pastures ready to cut.
–John Goddard, Loudon County
