As reported by NASS on May 29, 2012

WHEAT HARVEST UNDERWAY

Wheat harvest has begun! Producers report that this start is among the earliest they recall. Great harvest weather, however, does not spell good planting and crop development. Dry conditions persisted last week leading to a near halt in planting the remainder of the cotton and soybean crops. All crops, however, continue to be rated in mostly good condition. Corn, at week’s end, was showing some signs of dry weather stress. Thrips continue to be reported in cotton and soybean fields. Early season vegetables are beginning to come in and strawberry harvest is wrapping-up. Pasture and hayfield re-growth is slow with the majority of pastures reported to be in fair-to-good condition. Other main farm activities last week included harvesting hay, transplanting tobacco, and spraying insecticides and herbicides.

There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork across the state. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 11 percent very short, 40 percent short and 49 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 8 percent very short, 38 percent short, 53 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Temperatures last week averaged 4 to 5 degrees above normal. Rainfall amounts once again averaged below normal across the state, except over the plateau where precipitation was slightly above normal.

 County Agent Comments

 “Many corn acres at critical stage needing rain as many fields show signs of heat and water stress by mid-afternoon on hot days. Cotton and soybeans are in bad need of rain. Surprisingly, we have had enough soil moisture to get soybeans up to a good stand in most cases. Soybean producers have basically stopped planting in waiting for a rain to finish. Wheat harvest has begun this week and yields mentioned so far are good. Wheat acres needing rain bad in order to plant back to soybeans. Cotton continues to be hammered with thrips as they are moving out of wheat crop into cotton and even soybeans. Cotton spraying for thrips has kept producers busy last several days. Threat of thrips expected to continue in cotton until after wheat harvest completed.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County

“The farmers in Fayette County were busy this week baling hay, planting beans, spraying for insects, and had one farmer who started harvesting canola. Wheat harvest will start soon.” Jeffery Via, Fayette County

“Scattered rainfall brought some relief early in the week. Depending on the location, less than one tenth to up to 1.5 inches fell Sunday night into early Monday morning. Many producers were able to start soybean planting again, while others are still waiting on adequate moisture. Wheat harvest began last weekend, easily 3 weeks ahead of normal timing with yields ranging between 65 and 80 bushels per acre.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Mostly dry and hot week allowed farmers to make progress on soybean planting and hay making. Extreme heat at weeks’ end changed crop conditions very fast and now they are in desperate need of a rain. Early season vegetables are beginning to come in as strawberries harvest comes to an end.” Calvin Bryant, Lawrence County

“Parts of the county had rain, but other parts are very dry. Wheat condition looks worse than originally thought, more frost damage than reported earlier. Some was cut for hay.” John Bartee, Montgomery County

“We’ll start cutting wheat next week. We have had very spotted rain and a lot of places are really dry. Beans after wheat are all we like being through planting.” Larry Moorehead, Moore County

“The increasing warmer temperatures and widely scattered showers are creating low soil moisture levels.”  David Cook, Davidson County

“Producers continue to report significant reduction in amount of first cutting hay.” Ruth Correll, Wilson County

“Hay yields are all over the board with most reporting at least 1/3 below normal and with below normal quality due to rapid maturing of cool season grasses in the heat. Canola harvest will begin soon. Regrowth is slow on hay fields. Pastures are improving. Some had hay left over but a good second cutting will be needed to fill the gaps in hay supplies.” Mannie Bedwell, Hamblen County

“Scattered showers on Monday helped a few producers, however dry conditions persist on most of the county. Hay harvest is still in full swing.” Jerry Lamb, Rhea County