As reported by NASS on November 7, 2011

MILD AUTUMN WEATHER CONTINUES TO FACILITATE FARM ACTIVITIES

Mild weather early in the week allowed producers to make good progress seeding wheat and harvesting soybeans and cotton. Late week showers helped with wheat emergence and improvement of cool season pastures. Other farm activities last week included preparing tobacco for sale, mowing cotton stalks, tree digging, and marketing calves. Hay supplies are adequate and the majority of cattle are rated to be in good-to-excellent condition.

There were 5 days suitable for fieldwork across the state. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 2 percent very short, 23 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Across Tennessee last week, temperatures continued to average about 1 to 3 degrees below normal. Precipitation amounts averaged 0.4 to 0.7 inches below normal across Middle and East Tennessee while across West Tennessee the average was approximately 0.2 inches above normal.

County Agent Comments

 “Farmers continue to have good weather for harvest. Winter Wheat is being seeded and is beginning to emerge. Pastures are drying down somewhat due to time of year and to light frost. Overall, Ag outlook is promising.” J.C. Dupree, Jr., Lauderdale County

“The farmers in Fayette County were busy harvesting cotton and beans until a front moved in Wednesday night and rained our farmers out. Other activities included seeding wheat.” Jeffery D. Via, Fayette County

“Combines started rolling Sunday afternoon and producers made good progress through Wednesday. Rain showers on Thursday dropped approximately .50″ of precipitation helping topsoil moisture levels and germinating wheat.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Giles County got another 1/2″ of rain this week. Soybean harvest almost completed. There are still several acres of cotton in the fields.” Kevin Rose, Giles County

“Thursday morning rain brought soybean harvest to a stop for a while. Cool season pastures are improving while warm season pastures are through for the year due to frost. Feeder cattle look fairly good. Cattle numbers at the markets have increased and cattle prices remain strong.” Richard Groce, Maury County

“A cold front swept across the County on Thursday producing about .75 inch of rain. This makes for the third week in a row, field work has been interrupted by a mid to late week cold front that has brought showers across the County. Temperatures remain mild to slightly above normal. Most areas saw killing frost on Sunday morning of 10/30. Farmers were busy the first half of the week with soybean and cotton harvest and planting wheat.” Ed Burns, Franklin County

“Still some beans and corn to harvest. Hay supplies look adequate.” Scott Chadwell, Putnam County

“Two days out of the field again this week due to rain. Soybean harvest, wheat seeding, and tree digging are major field activities this time of year. 1/2 to 3/4 inch of rain fell.” J. Dale Beaty, Warren County

“Living in Tennessee is the best!!!” Joe E. Hall, Anderson County

“We had 4 more frosts this week. Johnson grass is history. We had some rain on Thursday evening. We’re getting lots of calls from producers wanting to purchase cheap hay.” John Goddard, Loudon County

“Continued rains and warm weather have been good for fall pastures.” Chris Ramsey, Sullivan County