As reported by NASS on June 18, 2012

RAIN PROVIDED RELIEF IN SOME AREAS; CONTINUED DRY IN OTHERS

The weather pattern of scattered showers continued last week leaving 46 percent of Tennessee farmland short of soil moisture at week’s end. Crops continued to hold in mostly good condition. Forty-seven percent of the corn crop is in the critical pollination stage. Wheat harvest, soybean planting and tobacco transplanting are now about finished. Full-season soybeans are beginning to bloom and almost a third of the cotton crop is entering the squaring stage of development. As the hot dry spells continue, pastures have started to decline, but are still rated in mostly fair-to-good condition. Other farm activities last week included insecticide applications and hay cutting.

There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork across the state. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 13 percent very short, 33 percent short and 54 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 14 percent very short, 36 percent short and 50 percent adequate. Temperatures across the state last week averaged near to slightly above normal. Rainfall amounts averaged below normal across the entire state.

County Agent Comments

 “Showers on Sunday night and Monday continue to help with crop recovery from previous weeks of drought stress. Insect activity picking up in all crops as season progressing. Currently having inquiries concerning three-cornered alfalfa hoppers in soybeans and Japanese beetles in various crops and horticultural plants. Stinkbugs are beginning to show up in soybeans. Producers trying to complete wheat harvest and plant back soybeans since recent rains have given us soil moisture. Should be done with wheat harvest by end of next week.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County

“The farmers received a nice rain last weekend and were not able to get much field work done at the start of the week. Field work started back mid week with producers planting beans, cutting hay, spraying and finishing up with wheat harvest. Crops look a lot better after needed rains.” Jeffery Via, Fayette County

“Isolated spots still have not received any significant rain in over 6 weeks.” Brian White, Hardin County

“With very little rain the past two weeks dry conditions are beginning to show very quickly. Forages are beginning to show signs of a needed rain, crops are holding up, but rain is needed.” Troy Dugger, Hickman County

“Tobacco that has been planted is going to have to be replanted due to lack of rain. Farmers are having to utilize irrigation to get the plants to live. Pastures are drying up, and we need rain in a bad way. Hay yields are down 1/3 from last year.” Laurie Mobley, Houston County

“Large areas of vole damage appeared in soybean fields. Widely scattered and very light rain did little to relieve drought stress.” David Glover, Smith County

“Recent rains almost entirely missed Williamson County. It is extremely dry for this time of year.”

DeWayne Perry, Williamson County

“Rain helped even though it delayed wheat harvest. No more twisting corn or parched pastures.” Dale Beaty, Warren County

“We have had good moisture throughout the first of spring. Crops are out now and it has begun to get dry and without moisture soon our crops could begin to suffer. The high temperatures have caused what little rain we have received to dry up quickly.” Steven Huff, Cocke County

“Looks like hay season is over. Second cutting is not looking promising. Corn is twisting. Recent rains have missed Loudon County.” John Goddard, Loudon County

“Corn crop is looking to be the best in recent years as long as rain continues in the forecast. All crops have benefited from showers as we are only 3 inches below normal for the year.” Jerry Lamb, Rhea County