As reported by NASS on July 16, 2012
DROUGHT NOT OVER BUT WIDESPREAD, PLENTIFUL PRECIPATATION RECEIVED! Soaking rainfall and lower temperatures characterized the conditions which greeted farmers last week. The drought is not broken as some areas of the state experienced only light-to-moderate precipitation. Overall, state crop condition ratings improved, especially for soybeans. However, the corn condition rating, although improved, continued to point to a season with over half the acreage in a heavy or extreme loss of yield situation. Some renewed optimism now exists for soybeans, cotton and tobacco which are rated in mostly fair or good condition. The main farm activities last week included pesticide application, topping tobacco, harvesting silage, feeding livestock, hauling water and scouting fields.
There were 3.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 12 percent very short, 31 percent short, 52 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 30 percent very short, 35 percent short, 34 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Temperatures averaged near normal this past week. Rainfall amounts were well above normal for the entire state with the exception of West Tennessee where near normal amounts fell.
|
Crop Condition % July 15, 2012 |
||||||
|
Very Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
||
| Corn |
TN |
25% |
30% |
27% |
17% |
1% |
|
US |
16% |
22% |
31% |
27% |
4% |
|
| Cotton |
TN |
5% |
14% |
35% |
43% |
3% |
|
US |
5% |
13% |
37% |
37% |
8% |
|
| Soybeans |
TN |
10% |
17% |
39% |
32% |
2% |
|
US |
10% |
20% |
36% |
30% |
4% |
|
| Pasture |
TN |
34% |
34% |
24% |
8% |
0% |
|
US |
24% |
30% |
28% |
16% |
2% |
|
Condition Definitions
v Very Poor – Extreme degree of loss to yield potential, complete or near crop failure. Pastures provide very little or no feed considering the time of year. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition.
v Poor – Heavy degree of loss of yield potential which can be caused by excess soil moisture, drought, disease, etc. Pastures are providing only marginal feed for the current time of year. Some supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition.
v Fair – Less than normal crop condition. Yield loss is a possibility but the extent is unknown. Pastures are providing generally adequate feed but still less than normal for the time of year.
v Good – Yield prospects are normal or above normal. Moisture levels are adequate with only light disease and insect damage. Pastures are providing adequate feed supplies for the current time of year.
v Excellent – Yield prospects are above normal and crops are experiencing little or no stress. Pastures are supplying feed in excess of what is normally expected at the current time of year.
|
Crop Progress |
|||||
|
July 15, 2012 |
July 8, 2012 |
July 15, 2011 |
5 Year Average | ||
| Corn Silking |
TN |
96% |
93% |
80% |
86% |
|
US |
71% |
50% |
28% |
36% |
|
| Corn Dough or Beyond |
TN |
50% |
21% |
20% |
23% |
|
US |
12% |
– |
3% |
4% |
|
| Soybeans Blooming |
TN |
62% |
43% |
38% |
46% |
|
US |
66% |
44% |
34% |
42% |
|
| Soybeans Setting Pods |
TN |
30% |
17% |
10% |
19% |
|
US |
16% |
– |
5% |
9% |
|
| Cotton Squaring |
TN |
84% |
76% |
81% |
89% |
|
US |
82% |
70% |
68% |
75% |
|
| Cotton Setting Bolls |
TN |
37% |
17% |
20% |
27% |
|
US |
36% |
23% |
28% |
29% |
|
County Agent Comments
“Some areas received much needed rain this week but many areas still need more. Later planted corn has suffered the most due to drought conditions. Showers were helpful to earliest planted beans and young wheat beans will benefit the most.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County
“Much needed rain fell across the county late last week into early this week. Amounts ranged from 1″ to 4″. The rain has extended the life of soybeans, but was too late to help most corn acres. Cloudy weather and cooler temperatures brought much better crop conditions compared to the previous month. Some producers started replanting double-crop soybeans that had emerged and then died in the extreme heat and drought conditions. Several acres of corn silage have also been harvested. Some producers are considering mowing down corn stalks and replanting to soybeans due to extremely low yield prospects.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County
“3-6 inches of rainfall and lower temperatures over the last few days will hopefully help pastures to improve. The corn crop suffered irreversible yield loss. However, late soybeans and dark tobacco have made drastic improvements this week.” Ronnie Barron, Cheatham County
“The moisture we are getting this week is in the form of a good soaking rain. Over two inches has fallen on most of the county. Mostly too late to do corn much good but very helpful for soybeans and pasture. Disaster committee has determined corn loss to be 70% of normal yields.” Kevin Rose, Giles County
“Good rain for the week with some areas seeing good moisture for two weeks in a row. Rain showers from Monday thru Thursday produced good general soaking rains across the County totaling from 1.5 to three inches plus. A few isolated areas saw over four inches of rain. The much needed rain has helped cool temperatures, green pastures, and breathes new hope for soybean and cotton yields. The moistures will help some corn add weight, but basically the crop is done and a number of producers think they will start shelling some corn by month’s end.” Ed Burns, Franklin County
“Thundershowers on Tuesday and scattered showers through Friday brought much-needed moisture. Amounts across the county ranged from several tenths to a few inches in the mountainous portion. Many livestock ponds are at critically low levels and some have dried up. Also and as a result of the drought, several farmers have drilled new and deeper water wells in order to meet farmstead and livestock watering needs. Crops, pasture and hay are still in dire need of additional rains.” John Wilson, Blount County
