As reported by NASS on July 23, 2012

WARM WEATHER AND MODERATE RAINS AID GROWTH.  High temperatures and moderate rains stimulated crop growth last week. Crops continued to develop at a faster rate than usual. All crops remained in fair-to-good condition, with the exception of corn. Pastures were rated in poor-to-fair condition, but have improved slightly as they continue to green-up. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels have also improved although some areas of West Tennessee remain dry. Farming activities for the week included harvesting silage, topping tobacco, and fungicide applications.

There were 4 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 9 percent very short, 23 percent short, 62 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 19 percent very short, 35 percent short, 43 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Temperatures across the state last week averaged 2 to 6 degrees above normal. Rainfall amounts averaged above normal across the entire state.

 Condition Definitions

 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.

 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.

 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.

 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.

 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.

County Agent Comments

 “Henderson County has had a general rain that improved soybean field dramatically and some have fertilized Bermuda grass hay land.” Ron Blair, Henderson County

“Light showers provided an additional .25″ to .80″ of precipitation across the county last weekend. High temperatures this week combined with these showers have soybeans growing, blooming and setting pods. Pastures and hay fields are greening back up, but additional rainfall will be needed to keep forages and soybeans growing.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Rain has been mainly good across the county the past couple of weeks but varies from 1 1/2 inches in the western part to approximately 10 inches in the north central part of the county. Forages have improved; beans are looking better, corn is not very good at all. Hopefully with some continuing rain, the bean outlook will continue to improve as well as forage for pasture and hay.” Troy Dugger, Hickman County

“The county has gotten almost 6 inches of rain scattered over the past two weeks which has greened many acres of pasture. Late planted corn has revived somewhat and beans are looking better. Creeks are running much better than two weeks ago.” Kevin Rose, Giles County

“Recent rains have greened pastures up and accelerated growth of Johnson grass. Not much recovery by corn.” Cynthia Zeitz, Jackson County

“We got rain this week. This will help most of our soybeans and tobacco but for most of the corn it was too late. We have some corn that does not have a grain on it.” Larry Moorehead, Moore County

“Another wet week makes July the wettest month of the year thus far! Showers coupled with heavy rains at the week’s end produced an additional two to three plus inches of rain, causing some ponding in low lying areas. With over seven to nearly eight inches of rainfall collected to date in July, the much needed rain has put a halt on drought conditions. The most appreciated rain will do little to improve the corn crop, but will help reduce further loss. Drought has weakened a lot of the stalks and a few producers are considering harvest this week to reduce losses to lodging and reduce chances of Alfatoxin. Rain has made a huge difference in the soybean, cotton crop. Early beans are ranging from R3 to R5. Several producers have been applying fungicides when they can get into fields. Double cropped beans have made tremendous vegetative growth. Cotton is from beginning to mid bloom, which should help yield outlook. Pastures are once again producing adequate growth for grazing, a few producers are gearing up to harvest hay, mostly Johnson grass and summer annuals when fields dry.” Ed Burns, Franklin County

“Scattered showers brought varied rainfall across the county. Soybeans have improved with the recent rain. Forages are slow to rebound with some fields having lost stands of cool-season grasses due to the drought and heat.” John Wilson, Blount County “Rains this week have helped soybeans and pastures. Corn is dead and water won’t help the dead.” John Goddard, Loudon County