As reported by NASS on September 23, 2013

 COTTON HARVEST BEGINS

Favorable weather conditions over the past week allowed producers to begin cotton harvest, continue corn harvest progress where moisture levels declined, and provided an average of 6.0 days suitable for field work. Even though cool, wet weather earlier in the year delayed crop development, the outlook is positive. Crops benefited from last week’s weather as crop progress and harvest increased an average of 10 points. Activities included corn silage harvest. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent very short, 29 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 2 percent very short, 23 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

 County Agent Comments

 Corn harvest in full swing but producers still battling dry down as grain moisture continues to run higher which results in pricing dockage at grain elevators. Cotton is slowly beginning to show signs of boll opening in early planted fields or areas in fields where plant stress is occurring due to currently dry conditions. A few maturity group 2 soybeans have been harvested, however majority of bean acres have not yet reached leaf drop stage and full maturity. Tim Campbell, Dyer County

Rains during the latter part of last week halted corn harvest. Lauderdale County producers are beginning to shell corn with good yields. Reported yields are in the one-hundred fifty plus range for dryland corn. Soybeans are good condition, and cotton is fair. Beef cattle and pastures are in excellent condition. J C Dupree, Lauderdale County

The farmers in Fayette County were busy harvesting corn until Friday. Rain finally came into our area and varied in amounts. More corn will be harvested next week once it dries. Some cotton will start getting defoliated in the next week or two. Some beans are ready to be harvested. Wheat beans needed the rain we just got. Jeffrey D. Via, Fayette County

Soil conditions were getting dry until the weeks’ end rain that brought nearly three or more inches to most of the county. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is present in great numbers. Cooler temperatures are favoring pastures and the rain has helped with fall stockpiling needs. John Wilson, Blount County

Lots of hay harvested this past week. Wheat beans need a rain. Corn silage harvest is almost complete with above average to record setting yields reported. Pastures on thin soils could use a rain especially those trying to re-seed or stockpile. Mannie Bedwell, Hamblen County

Steady rain brought an end to a good week of corn harvest on Friday afternoon. Producers made good progress but were close to being caught up with corn that was dry enough to harvest. Some acreage of early-maturing soybeans were harvested this week as well. Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

Early corn yields have averaged 140 to 230 bu across the county with high ground averaging about 30-40 bu more than lower grounds. Some hay being feed to livestock. No rain for the last 3 weeks. Pastures are drying out. Kevin Rose, Giles County

Continues to look like its going to be a good year for crops. Soybeans continue to look good. Early beans are beginning to drop leaves and late beans are needing rain. The earliest corn is just now beginning to be harvested and producers are reporting good production. Later corn is two to three weeks away from harvest. Tobacco harvest is just about finished. Late hay has been average in quantity and quality. Ruth Correll, Wilson County

Continued dry weather has made for excellent harvest conditions, but rain is much needed for late beans and pastures. Corn harvest is in full swing with about half of the crop harvested, yields continue to be above expectations averaging 200 bushels per acre across the County. A few acres of soybeans were harvested this past week, early planted and early maturing beans are ready, with several producers gearing up to begin harvest next week. Late planted beans and pastures beginning to show dry weather stress. Ed Burns, Franklin County