As reported by NASS on August 1, 2011

CROPS REMAIN IN MOSTLY GOOD-TO-EXCELLENT CONDITION

The corn, cotton, soybean, and tobacco crops in Tennessee remain in mostly good-to-excellent condition in spite of the excessive heat and spotty rainfall. Some early planted corn acres are maturing rapidly, but overall the crop is progressing at a near normal rate. Soybeans are setting pods at a pace about a week behind the five-year average and are in need of moisture. Cotton is setting bolls at a pace also one week behind the five-year average. Pasture growth has stalled due to hot, dry conditions. The main farm activities last week included harvesting hay and silage, topping tobacco, and applying pesticides.

There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork across the state. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 9 percent very short, 36 percent short, 54 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 7 percent very short, 30 percent short and 63 percent adequate. Temperatures averaged near to slightly above normal across Tennessee this past week. Middle and East Tennessee rainfall averaged at or slightly below normal; however, in West Tennessee rainfall was below normal.