As reported by NASS on November 18, 2013

COLD FRONT BRINGS FREEZING TEMPERATURES

A cold front brought freezing temperatures and drier air to the state this past week. The drier air allowed farmers to make good progress with corn, cotton, and soybean harvests before late-week rains once again forced them out of the fields. The same drier air also had the additional effect of allowing wheat seedings to progress. Yields continue to be reported as above average. Hard freezes had a negative impact on pasture condition, causing some farmers to have to put out hay for their livestock. Low humidity during the first part of the week slowed tobacco stripping. There were 5.5 days suitable for field work this week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 18 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 17 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

County Agent Comments

The farmers in Fayette Co. have been busy this week harvesting corn, beans and cotton. We had a hard freeze for a couple of days and rain moved in Friday. A lot of the wheat will be finished being planted if we have good conditions next week. Also, a lot of the crop should be out next week if the weather is good. Jeffery D. Via, Fayette County

Made some noticeable gains in cotton and soybean harvesting and wheat planting. There were two major frost events. Producers are reporting great yields with soybeans (40+ bushels), but varying cotton yields (500-900 lbs). Walter Battle, Haywood County

Another very productive week in the field harvesting crops. Cotton yields are still all over the boards and soybean yields are good to great. Jake Mallard, Madison County

Producers got several good running days this week. Corn harvest is nearing completion, but soybean harvest has a way to go with many producers needing 10 days or more to complete harvest. Wheat seeding continues with the 2014 crop acreage expected to top the 2013 total. Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

Soybean and corn harvest continues with corn harvest almost complete. Corn yield is mostly reported as above the expected Wilson County average. Soybean yield varies depending on if early beans or late beans. Cattle in good condition but cannot say the same for pastures. Pastures are needing rain. Thankful for lots of hay for winter feeding. Ruth Correll, Wilson County

100 acres of soybeans killed by frost. The beans are a total loss. Neal Denton, Knox County

Many heavy frosts and an 18 degree low have shut down pasture growth but really helped with dry down in soybeans and corn. Canola and wheat planting are in full swing. Low humidity has kept tobacco stripping at a slow pace. Mannie Bedwell, Hamblen County

Need rain. John Goddard, Loudon County

Producers are finishing corn harvest, harvesting beans and cotton as weather permits. Still some wheat planting as of last week. Cattle and pastures are overall in great condition. J. C. Dupree, Jr., Lauderdale County

Producers still trying to wrap up bean and cotton harvest. Kevin Rose, Giles County

A cold front the first of the week produced the coldest weather of the fall with lows in the mid to upper 20’s and highs in the upper 40’s. Soybean producers are closer to being done with most producers reporting finished. Wheat planting continues; however, emergence has been slow due to dry conditions. Ed Burns, Cumberland County

Pasture growth has been slack for need of rain. Corn and soybean yields have been favorable. Some hay feeding has begun with shorter pasture growth and hard freezes recently. John Wilson, Blount County