Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending July 13, 2014.
Weather continues to take a toll on Tennessee crops. Some fields have been planted multiple times because of standing water and, in some areas, wheat is still standing due to wet fields. Rains have cooled temperatures, which has a negative effect on the cotton crop through a decrease of needed heat units. While some areas still suffer from wet weathers, other areas are in need of a good general rain for crop development. There were 5.5 days suitable for field work last week.
Topsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent very short, 24 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent very short, 21 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus.
County Agent Comments
The corn crop is progressing well at this point. Cotton continues to struggle a bit with cooler temperatures similar to last year. Wheat harvest essentially finished. Producers working feverishly to get double crop soybeans behind wheat planted. Grain sorghum crop progressing well as early planted fields are heading and blooming. It appears grain sorghum acreage is up for this year. Insect pressures and disease pressures remain light at this time.
–Tim Campbell, Dyer County
Corn and soybeans are looking really good. Cotton continues to need less rain and more heat units. Wheat harvest is nearing completion. Cattle and pastures are in excellent condition.
–J.C. DuPree, Lauderdale County
The farmers in Fayette County had about 3 inches of rain come in Tuesday night. This caused crops to go under water and in places, water is still in fields. Some fields have been planted 3 times already. The crops on higher ground look good.
–Jeff Via, Fayette County
Wheat harvest is all but wrapped up with yields ranging from 50-70 bushels as a whole. The big problem has been low test weights with several producers reporting significant dockage. A 2′ rain stopped field work and is the major reason that wheat did not get finished. There is growing concern about cotton getting enough heat units. Just as temperatures picked up the rain cooled it down once again basically repeating 2013. The soybean and corn crops are looking very good. Pastures are also benefitting tremendously from the rains. The good thing about the recent rains were that they for the most part was county wide.
–Walter Battle, Haywood County
Warm, dry weather helped producers to complete wheat harvest and soybean planting this week. A surprise, thunderstorm on Tuesday morning left varying amounts of .1″ to .6″across the county. Upland corn looks excellent at this point as do full season soybeans. Forage producers are taking advantage of good drying conditions and have started harvesting their second cutting of hay.
–Jeff Lannom, Weakley County
No rain this week and corn showing drought stress. Irrigation by tobacco growers is underway. Several tobacco fields diagnosed with black shank.
–Paul Hart, Robertson County
Wheat bean planting about wrapped up. Some forages producers reporting just completing first cutting on hay.
–Kevin Rose, Giles County
We have not gotten a good general rain across the entire county. A few areas are getting enough moisture to help plants thrive, but most of the county continues to suffer from lack of rain.
–Ricky Skillington, Marshall County
Our corn is about made. Some showers this week have helped.
–Larry Moorehead, Moore County
Dry weather has really begun to take its toll on the crops and pasture. Dry weather has taken its toll on tobacco this week. Corn and soybean crops are good where scattered rains have fallen, but really hurting elsewhere.
–Jason Evitts, Trousdale County
Summer temperatures and lack of rain are very drying. Corn looks good and early soybeans look good but late soybeans are struggling due to lack of moisture. Pastures continue to look good. Some late hay continues to be harvested.
–A. Ruth Correll, Wilson County
Everyone should be done with their first cutting of hay. Some farmers have harvested their wheat with great yields. Soybeans are looking pretty good, but the normal pests (i.e. Japanese beetles, stink bugs, etc.) are about. Those double cropping should be getting or already have their second crop planted. Corn is looking pretty good out in Sweetins Cove. Got some scattered rain through the week, but not the amount everyone would have hoped for. Next week looks to be a bit cooler which may lead to some thunderstorms and hopefully some steady rain.
–Marion Matthew Deist, Marion County
Hot and humid. With summer rains providing moisture for forage re-growth, many producers have begun second-cutting of hay.
–John Wilson, Blount County
Showers mid-week produced from a half inch to 1.5 inches in a few isolated areas which keeps the crops in good condition. Wheat harvest and bean planting is all but over. About 20% of the corn is in the dough stage, with another 50% in the roasting ear stage. The bulk of the single crop beans are at R3- R5, several producers applying fungicides. Pastures still holding and producers harvesting second cutting when weather allows.
–Ed Burns, Franklin County
Spotty daily showers and storms have stopped hay and wheat harvest again.
–John Goddard, Loudon County
Good rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.
–Chris Ramsey, Sullivan County
