As reported by NASS on September 6, 2011

SUNDAY EVENING RAINS BRING RELIEF!

The first significant rainfall in a month fell across many areas of Tennessee late Sunday evening. The beneficial effect of this precipitation on crops and pastures is sure to be felt and will be reflected in next Sunday evening condition ratings. As far as this week, crop condition ratings slipped as 48 percent of the soybean acres were in the good-to-excellent category compared to 54 percent a week ago. Cotton and corn ratings basically held their own and continue in predominately good-to-excellent condition. Almost half of pastures were rated in very poor-to-poor condition. Farm activities last week included shelling corn, chopping silage, cutting and feeding hay and housing tobacco.

There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork across the state. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 41 percent very short, 44 percent short and 15 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 35 percent very short, 45 percent short and 20 percent adequate. Temperatures across Tennessee last week averaged 3 to 8 degrees above normal. Rainfall was spotty until Sunday evening.