As reported by NASS on April 23, 2012 

 CORN PLANTING ESSENTIALLY FINISHED, EXCEPT FOR BOTTOMS AND SILAGE

Corn planting reached almost 90 percent last week and growers reported that all that remains are some bottom land and silage fields. Normally, less than half the corn acreage is planted by this period of time. Soybean planting has started, but most producers commented that they would not get underway in earnest until May 1. Recent freeze damage assessment was in progress at week’s end. Nurseries, vineyards, and orchards have been hit hardest. Freeze damage appears to have been minimal for the corn, wheat, and strawberry crops. Tennessee’s wheat, corn, strawberries and pastures were reported to be in mostly good-to-excellent condition. Light-to-moderate insect pressure on wheat was noted. Other on-going farm activities included hay and strawberry harvests, fertilizer and pesticide applications and scouting fields for freeze damage and threshold pest levels. Fertilizer supplies in many areas of the state were scarce.

There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork across the state. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent very short, 28 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 2 percent very short, 22 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Temperatures across the state averaged slightly above normal across the eastern half and slightly below normal across the western half. Rainfall amounts averaged between a half inch and one inch below normal in most of the state, except for middle Tennessee where a slight surplus was noted.

County Agent Comments

 “Wheat progressing well. Corn planting essentially finished. May still be a few isolated acres planted over next few days but majority of producers are finished. Some producers are experiencing fomasofen (Reflex) injury on corn acres from carryover from last year or sprayer overlap this year with recent weather conditions we have experienced. Soybean planting has probably begun but on a very small scale. Most producers have indicated they are waiting at least to May 1 to plant.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County

“According to fertilize dealers in the county ammonium nitrate is unavailable at any price. If farmers had not pre-ordered then they will not be able to find any. This is due to the large increase in corn acreage. Urea is available.”  Steve Burgess, Carroll County

“Producers are practically finished planting corn. Some river bottom fields are all that remain to be planted. Many producers are making plans to start planting soybeans next week. Most of the wheat looks good with some fields showing the effects of stripe rust and wheat streak mosaic virus symptoms.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Good rains fell at the end of the week; much needed in our area for pasture and forages. Most upland corn is planted, producers waiting just a bit longer to plant river bottoms. Suspect some damage on wheat from frost; this wheat was way ahead of schedule for this time of year; will look at crop at end of this week to determine extent of damage, if it is anything very serious.” Troy Dugger, Hickman County

“Corn planting is almost completed. Some freeze damage reported to corn in V5 stage. Soybean planting is getting started. Some hay is being harvested. Wheat is looking good with little freeze damage being reported. Received one report of armyworm damage in a pasture on the east side of the county; 3/4 acre affected at most.” Kevin Rose, Giles County

“Most nurseries reporting some foliage and blossom damage, but most are reporting emerged seedlings had little or no damage. About 20% of the corn experienced some leaf burn with a few isolated acres in low bottom lands with severe frost damage. Most is recovering. The wheat crop seems to have suffered minimal damage at this time. The 1,000 acres of rapeseed for canola was about 95% pollinated and appears to be in excellent shape. About 400 acres of soybeans had emerged before the freeze and show no signs of damage.” Ed Burns, Franklin County

“Isolated thundershowers were few and brought little rain. With windy days, soils are quickly drying. Corn planting is nearing completion. Recent frost damage in hay fields coupled with the heading of a shorter hay crops is reducing producer expectations of yield for first-cutting hay.” John Wilson, Blount County

“Freeze damage was hardest on grapes. Several producers and hobbyists have lost half of their grape crop. This is from their estimates. The other damage was on sweet corn. Two producers had serious frost damage on their early corn. Most of the plants are recovering, but it’s still too early to tell of complete recovery.” Neal Denton, Knox County