As reported by NASS on June 25, 2012
DRY CONDITIONS PREVAILING
The high pressure system holding over Tennessee caused a continuation of the hot and dry weather last week. Virtually all of the featured weather stations across the state now show considerable precipitation deficits indicating moderate drought conditions. Soil moisture reports indicate that moisture levels in the state were 60 percent short to very short in West Tennessee, 80 percent short to very short in Middle Tennessee, and 70 percent short to very short in East Tennessee. The effects of the extended dry spell on crops have begun to show, but most crops continue to be rated in fair-to-good condition. Corn development remains well ahead of normal with seventy percent in the silking stage, but plants are twisting in many areas. Tobacco growers continue to irrigate. Pastures are short. Some producers reported feeding hay and were beginning to consider herd reduction. Livestock producers expressed their concerns about hay and water shortages along with pink eye becoming a problem.
There were 7 days suitable for fieldwork across the state. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 29 percent very short, 44 percent short and 27 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 24 percent very short, 43 percent short and 33 percent adequate. Temperatures across the state this past week averaged above normal while rainfall amounts averaged below to well below normal.
|
Crop Condition % June 24, 2012 |
||||||
|
Very Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
||
| Corn |
TN |
6% |
17% |
31% |
41% |
5% |
|
US |
4% |
10% |
30% |
45% |
11% |
|
| Cotton |
TN |
1% |
4% |
22% |
58% |
15% |
|
US |
5% |
11% |
34% |
40% |
10% |
|
| Soybeans |
TN |
4% |
12% |
27% |
52% |
5% |
|
US |
4% |
11% |
32% |
45% |
8% |
|
| Pasture |
TN |
9% |
27% |
35% |
28% |
1% |
|
US |
12% |
22% |
32% |
30% |
4% |
|
|
Crop Progress |
|||||
|
June 24, 2012 |
June 17, 2012 |
June 24, 2011 |
5 Year Average | ||
| Wheat Harvested |
TN |
99% |
93% |
86% |
78% |
|
US |
59% |
48% |
36% |
27% |
|
| Corn Silking |
TN |
70% |
47% |
23% |
29% |
|
US |
10% |
5% |
2% |
3% |
|
| Soybeans Blooming |
TN |
15% |
6% |
3% |
5% |
|
US |
12% |
5% |
2% |
4% |
|
| Cotton Squaring |
TN |
46% |
31% |
28% |
38% |
|
US |
36% |
27% |
29% |
32% |
|
| Cotton Setting Bolls |
TN |
– |
– |
– |
– |
|
US |
8% |
5% |
8% |
7% |
|
County Agent Comments
“Considering the lack of rain for the last two weeks crops seem to be holding on. Some locations in Lauderdale County are in better shape than others. We just need rain.” J.C. Dupree, Jr., Lauderdale County
“Another hot, dry week has pulled soil moisture levels lower and crops are suffering. A large portion of the corn acreage is at the critical pollination stage and rainfall is badly needed. Pastures are drying up as well as farm ponds. Soybean seeding was completed this week.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County
“Pasture and crop conditions are starting to deteriorate due to lack of moisture. Some tobacco growers have already started irrigating recently set fields in some parts of the county.” Ronnie Barron, Cheatham County
“A few cattle producers have begun feeding hay. Cattlemen are battling pinkeye, which has been severe this year. Dry conditions have corn growers concerned since the crop is in full tassel. No rain last week that many others received.” Paul Hart, Robertson County
“Conditions getting very dry. Many corn fields showing stress. Wheat beans have been planted and most are out of the ground but in need of moisture.” Kevin Rose, Giles County
“The lack of rain fall over a long period of time is just about to pass the point of no return. Many pastures simply have died since the first cutting of hay. Even weeds are showing wilt.” Cynthia Zeitz, Jackson County
“We are dry and everything is burning up. Corn is silking and tasseling and needs rain desperately. Pastures are dried up and people are beginning to feed hay. Water is getting short in several places.” Larry Moorehead, Moore County
“Crop conditions seem to be worse now than they were at this time during the 2007 drought. June rain has been mostly mythical.” Mitchell Mote, Rutherford County
“Extremely hot and dry, with no significant rain in the next week’s forecast.” Jared Goad, Marion County
“Two weeks since last rain. Corn twisting, need rain badly.” J. Dale Beaty, Warren County
“DRY and HOT! An isolated thundershower brought an average of 1 inch of rain to the southeastern portion of the county. However, the majority of the county is very dry with some areas approaching four weeks without rain. This coupled with temperatures in the 90’s has resulted in the ‘firing’ and ‘twisting’ of many acres of corn. Pastures and hay ground are suffering as well. Several cattle producers are feeding hay and some are contemplating herd reduction as pasture and hay supplies diminish.” John Wilson, Blount County
“Claiborne County is extremely dry. Very little rain, if any since June 1. Pastures are drying up fast. Corn is twisting. Hay mowed in the a.m. will bale in the p. m., it is drying on the stump.” Mike Heiskell, Claiborne County
