As reported by NASS on June 4, 2012
EXCELLENT WHEAT HARVEST PROGRESS
Wheat harvest was the main story last week as farmers made excellent progress with over fifty percent harvested. Cotton planting was almost wrapped-up by week’s end. Good progress was also made planting soybeans and transplanting tobacco. Late week rains helped replenish soil moisture levels and were especially beneficial to corn. Cotton, soybeans and tobacco were progressing well ahead of the norm and rated in mostly good condition. The majority of pastures were reported in mostly fair-to-good condition. Other field activities included pesticide and herbicide applications.
There were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork across the state. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 10 percent very short, 32 percent short, 57 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 10 percent very short, 37 percent short, 52 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Temperatures last week averaged 1 to 2 degrees above normal across much of the state. Rainfall amounts averaged below normal across east Tennessee and above normal across the remainder of the state.
|
Percent Planted |
|||||
|
June 3, 2012 |
May 27, 2012 |
June 3, 2011 |
5 Year Average |
||
| Cotton |
TN |
98% |
90% |
78% |
90% |
|
US |
87% |
76% |
83% |
83% |
|
| Soybeans |
TN |
81% |
72% |
42% |
54% |
|
US |
94% |
89% |
63% |
75% |
|
|
Crop Condition % June 3, 2012 |
||||||
|
Very Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
||
| Corn |
TN |
2% |
10% |
31% |
48% |
9% |
|
US |
1% |
4% |
23% |
57% |
15% |
|
| Cotton |
TN |
1% |
8% |
31% |
54% |
6% |
|
US |
1% |
8% |
37% |
44% |
10% |
|
| Soybeans |
TN |
– |
7% |
30% |
57% |
6% |
|
US |
1% |
5% |
29% |
55% |
10% |
|
| Pasture |
TN |
2% |
14% |
35% |
45% |
4% |
|
US |
7% |
15% |
32% |
40% |
6% |
|
|
Crop Progress |
|||||
|
June 3, 2012 |
May 27, 2012 |
June 3, 2011 |
5 Year Average | ||
| Wheat Harvested |
TN |
54% |
8% |
55 |
2% |
|
US |
20% |
9% |
7% |
3% |
|
| Corn –Emerged |
TN |
100% |
100% |
88% |
94% |
|
US |
97% |
92% |
75% |
83% |
|
| Soybeans – Emerged |
TN |
59% |
49% |
22% |
36% |
|
US |
39% |
61% |
79% |
50% |
|
| Cotton Squaring |
TN |
1% |
– |
– |
1% |
|
US |
8% |
7% |
8% |
7% |
|
County Agent Comments
“Need rain badly.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County
“Welcome rain on 5/31 ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 inches. Wheat harvest is progressing with surprisingly good yields and test weight. Soybean planting had ceased for many farmers due to the lack of moisture.”
Richard Buntin, Crockett County
“Producers in Fayette County were busy harvesting wheat, planting beans and cutting hay this week. Cotton has been sitting still for awhile probably due to a combination of herbicides, insects and the droughty conditions. Corn is twisting due to dry weather. Some corn is starting to tassel. We need a rain badly!!!!!” Jeffery Via, Fayette County
“Recent storms damaged several acres of corn in the North and East parts of Montgomery County.”
John Bartee, Montgomery County
“Parts of Giles County received as much as 1 inch of rain this week while most areas got about 2 tenths. Wind was associated with rain and did lay some corn over. Soybean planting about done. Wheat harvest has started with yields reported from 40 to 75 bu.” Kevin Rose, Giles County
“Good prospects for rain never materialized. Scattered showers did little to help.” David Glover, Smith County
“The first good general rain is falling this morning (06/04); (Wheat) harvest is in full swing with most producers reporting past the halfway mark. Yields have ranged from the low 50’s to upper 70’s with yields in the 60’s being the most common. The earliest planted corn is beginning to tassel. Single crop beans are planted, producers are hoping for a good rain to plant beans behind wheat. Some of the earliest planted (cotton) with moisture is beginning to square.” Ed Burns, Franklin County
“Small bands of showers helped parched areas. Other areas need rain badly. Some wheat has lodged. Corn is looking surprising well. Some Cool season grass hay is unharvested and overripe. Clover is still looking good.”
John Goddard, Loudon County
