Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending August 17, 2014.
While rains and cooler temperatures occurred throughout most other parts of the state, dry conditions continued in the southern parts of Middle Tennessee, causing stress on row crops and pastures. Statewide, insect pressure increased slightly, but still remained light compared to historic levels. Lower night-time temperatures slowed cotton progress. Hay producers were busy with their second cutting.
There were 5.8 days suitable for field work last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 7 percent very short, 27 percent short, 60 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 8 percent very short, 26 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.
County Agent Comments
Corn is beginning to dry down, early planted beans are setting pods, wheat beans are growing well, and cotton is beginning to set bolls. Pastures and cattle are in good condition.
–J.C. Dupree, Lauderdale County
All crop progress doing well. Cooler temperatures and ample rainfall have corn and soybean crops progressing well. Cotton still needs additional heat units to mature before frost. Grain sorghum crop is looking really good at this point. Have experienced some spotty army worm pressure in pastures and hayfields. Stink bugs rebounding somewhat in soybeans. Green clover worms are on the rise in soybeans but have not reached threshold treatment levels. Overall, insect pressures remain relatively light.
–Tim Campbell, Dyer County
The farmers in Fayette County had a great week spraying pests. Other activities included harvesting hay. Crops look great!!!! Cool weather moved into the area this week.
–Jeff Via, Fayette County
Producers are making final sprays as crops are reaching growth stages in which additional inputs may not be feasible. Late soybeans responded greatly to last week’s rains while the cotton crop basically sits still due to low nighttime temperatures. Pastures are producing high quality forages and producers are very happy with hay yields.
–Walter Battle, Haywood County
Dry weather and low humidity helped forage producers cut, cure and bale hay this week. Some herbicide applications were made to late-planted double crop soybeans. Producers with irrigation equipment are watering corn and soybeans on a regular basis. A good, general rain would be a tremendous help for all crops.
–Jeff Lannom, Weakley County
A few parts of the county received a small amount of rain last weekend, for the first time in nearly a month. Tobacco farmers have been irrigating for 5 weeks or more. Some cattle producers have started feeding hay.
–Ronnie Barron, Cheatham County
We got a little rain this past week, but we are still pretty dry.
–Laurie Mobley, Houston County
Adequate rainfall and cooler temperatures this week have helped pastures to rebound.
–David Cook, Davidson County
Giles County got 3/4″ of needed rain this week. Pastures still could use more rain.
–Kevin Rose, Giles County
We need rain soon. Pastures are drying up fast and soybeans are hurting especially behind wheat. Our fall hay crop is going to be short and production has been below normal all year.
–Larry Moorehead, Moore County
Some farmers are making hay during this dry spell, a few are on their third cutting, but the dry conditions are slowing forage growth and soybean development. Farmers are getting combines checked out and greased up in anticipation of corn harvest.
–Mitchell Mote, Rutherford County
Corn silage harvest continues. Yield is reported as very good. Widespread rain showers with some receiving significant amounts. Some folks are cutting fall hay.
–A. Ruth Correll, Wilson County
Hot and dry for the most of the week, a few isolated showers early produced less than a tenth in a few spots, heavy rain at week’s end produced from a half to 2.5 inches. The corn crop is beginning to dry down with early corn grain moisture in the mid twenty percent to mid thirty percent. Early maturing soybeans beginning to turn and shed leaves; later maturing beans have filled pods. Insect and disease pressure has been low. Hay producers continue to harvest second cutting, pastures in need of water.
–Ed Burns, Franklin County
Pasture looks good.
–Mary Ann Caylor, Anderson County
Second-cutting hay harvest continues. Corn silage harvest is underway with favorable yields so far. Weekly rain has fallen over most of the county. However, it’s starting to get dry in several locations.
–John Wilson, Blount County
Good progress was made during the first of the week on second cutting hay and silage harvest. Short, random showers are keeping pastures alive. Apple harvest continues to be above average.
–Patrick Sweatt, Bradley County
Spotty showers have prevented hay harvest this week.
–John Goddard, Loudon County
Good pasture with recent rain.
–Chris Ramsey, Sullivan County
