As reported by NASS on July 25, 2011

SHOWERS PROVIDE SOME RELIEF; MORE RAIN IS NEEDED IN MOST AREAS

A high pressure system positioned over Tennessee prevented widespread rainfall this week; however, crops received some relief from afternoon and evening rainfall. Crops remain in mostly good condition, especially for late July. Crops were beginning to show stress at week’s end from the extreme temperatures and inadequate moisture. Soybeans are blooming and setting pods at a pace about a week to ten days behind the five-year average. Cotton is setting bolls at a pace almost a week behind the five-year average. Field activities this week included spraying for insect and disease control, topping tobacco, and harvesting hay.

There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork across the state. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 6 percent very short, 27 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 4 percent very short, 23 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Temperatures averaged several degrees above normal over all of Tennessee last week. Rainfall averaged below normal across the state.