With no end in sight for some producers, rains have drowned out some crop acreages and prevented planting of others. The wet weather is, however, helping soybean and corn development but heat units are still needed for the cotton crop because of its sensitivity to adverse environmental conditions. A good general rain is still needed in some parts of the State. There were 5.0 days suitable for field work last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent very short, 20 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent very short, 20 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus.
County Agent Comments
The farmers in Fayette County are currently receiving more rain. Severe weather came into our area Monday night. This came when we were already saturated from other rain events. Thursday night and Friday we received another rain event as indicated. Crops on hill ground look good but pests are building. Crops in many bottoms were killed, muddied up, etc. Interesting year!!!! Jeff Via, Fayette County
As with recent weeks, rains and cooler weather put a halt to everything. Accumulating the number of required heat units for cotton is becoming a big concern for producers. Wheat harvest is over and soybean planting is coming to a close. A note on the wheat harvest is that yields were very good (50-70 bushels) but many producers received low test weight dockages. The corn and soybean crop is looking very well. Pastures are in very good shape. Walter Battle, Haywood County
Early week thunderstorms brought 1″ to 2.5″ of rain across Weakley County. Some straight-line wind damage occurred in the middle part of the county. Producers have been applying fungicides and insecticides to soybeans as needed. Some acreage destined for soybeans will remain unplanted due to wet weather.
Jeff Lannom, Weakley County
Giles County got some much needed rain late in the week. Kevin Rose, Giles County
We need the rain that’s supposed to be on the way. Larry Moorehead, Moore County
Brief scattered showers Tuesday and Friday gave crops little drink but didn’t go far enough towards quenching their thirst. A good soaking rain would be appreciated. Corn crop has a chance to be a good one if things hold together. Mitchell Mote, Rutherford County
Good rains this week helped tremendously – had limited localized flooding in some fields. Significant amount of wheat has low test weights with numerous reports of large dockage. Wheat beans really got a boost from the recent rains. Mannie Bedwell, Hamblen County
A good general rain has helped crops turn around. Peach crop is starting to wind down. Ricky Skillington, Marshall County
A slow, soaking, widespread rain over a thirty-hour period ended a near record breaking week of low temperatures producing from 1.3 inches to nearly 2.0 inches in a few isolated areas. The much needed rain will just about finish the corn crop which about 20% is beginning to dent, 50% is in the dough stage, with the remaining in the blister to roasting ear stage. Single crop beans are beginning to fill pods, double crop beans are from emerging to early bloom. Cotton is blooming and setting bolls. Pastures in some parts of the county were beginning to brown. Ed Burns, Franklin County
We received some steady rain this week along with some cooler than normal temperatures and, although our farmers weren’t out in the fields much because of it, I’m sure they are not complaining much about these July rains. Cattle prices are still up with the most $/lb going towards animals around 300lbs, some bringing over $1,000. Noted across the county that fig trees are dead or severely injured and little to no fruit is being
produced. This is due to the unusual winter we had where temperatures dropped below zero. Some will grow back from the roots and may even produce some fruit this year if not next. That is, if they are properly pruned and protected through this year’s winter weather. Matthew Deist, Marion County
Frequent rains halted most field activity. Double-crop soybeans are all planted and most have emerged. Corn is taking advantage of significant rainfall this past week. John Wilson, Blount County
This week’s rain has filled up ponds and creeks. First cutting of hay is still not complete.
John Goddard, Loudon County
Pasture improving with as much as 4 inches of rain in some areas. Chris Ramsey, Sullivan County
Tomato spotted wilt virus was observed in tobacco. Shannon Perrin, Union County
For More Information: Tennessee Crop Report
