As reported by NASS on April 14, 2014

PERSISTENT WET WEATHER DELAYS CORN PLANTING

Pastures, cattle, and wheat continue to benefit from the rainy weather, but those same rains again hampered corn planting progress. The crop is only seven (7) percent planted as of Sunday, compared to the 5-Year average of 25 percent. With on-going delays due to rain, there is growing concern that the window to plant the crop is closing. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 4 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 20 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. There were 4.0 days suitable for field work last week.

 County Agent Comments

 Corn planting is at a standstill due to rainy weather with only a few acres planted in Lauderdale County. Farmers have been making burn-down applications. Wheat is looking good in the county. J.C. Dupree, Lauderdale County

The farmers in Fayette County will probably start corn planting this weekend on dryer fields. More rain is expected Monday along with cooler temperatures. Wheat and pastures look good. Bermuda hayfields are breaking dormancy. Jeff Via, Fayette County

The wheat crop is really progressing well and looking good as producers finished making fertilizer applications. Wet weather continued to slow down planting. There is a little concern that the corn planting window is closing a bit. Walter Battle, Haywood County

Light rains off and on all week. Producers are looking to get in the fields this weekend and start corn planting again. Pastures are greening up and cattle are looking good and the market is high. Jake Mallard, Madison County

Things are beginning to grow. Pastures and wheat are looking good. We planted some more corn this week but we were wet early in the week. Pasture spraying and fertilizing is about done. Larry Moorehead, Moore County

Rain and wet ground continues to prevent very much field work. There is concern regarding the delay in planting corn. Pastures are greening and cattle are enjoying the improved grazing choices. A. Ruth Correll, Wilson County

Rain the first half of the week produced plus or minus two inches of rain with the bulk falling Sunday night. Wet fields have limited field work this week. Pastures are progressing and producers reporting hay usage is beginning to diminish. Ed Burns, Franklin County

Plus or minus two inches of rain fell the first half of the week, with the bulk falling Sunday night. Wet fields limited field work. Wheat and pastures continue to progress. Livestock producers are beginning to reduce hay feeding. Jared Goad, Marion County

Over two inches of rain fell across the county last week bringing much needed moisture. Spring liming, fertilizing and spraying of forages is nearing completion. John Wilson, Blount County

Hay still being fed – supplies are low but should be adequate. Wheat is tillering with a few acres jointing – some weak stands will either be abandoned or cut for hay. Mannie Bedwell, Hamblen County

One (1) inch of rain early this week halted corn planting. Pasture and hay is still late in coming in. Lots of folks still feeding hay like it’s the middle of winter. Windy conditions have dried soil since rainfall, so corn planting should resume today or tomorrow. John Goddard, Loudon County