As reported by NASS on July 30, 2012

HAY HARVEST A MAIN FARM ACTIVITY LAST WEEK.  Tennessee farmers last week devoted a great deal of time to harvesting warm season grasses for hay. July rainfall sparked unusually good growth, allowing warm season grasses to flourish. With the exception of corn, crops improved slightly in condition and are rated in mostly fair-to-good condition. Soybeans are blooming, and cotton is setting fruit. Pastures are greening-up and range from fair to good. Tobacco topping is in progress. The corn crop was rated mostly in very poor to poor condition with some very early harvest in the Southern section of Middle Tennessee. The main farm activities last week included hay and silage harvest, tobacco topping, and spraying for insects. Growers reported infestations of armyworms, budworms, and stinkbugs.

There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 10 percent very short, 33 percent short, 55 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 19 percent very short, 41 percent short, 39 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Temperatures across the state last week continued to average above normal. Rainfall amounts were below normal across much of the state with the exception of the extreme East Tennessee, where rainfall averaged well above normal.

 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.

County Agent Comments

 “Overall, crop conditions are improving for Lauderdale County and, of course, this is mostly due to recent rains. Rains are still sporadic but any rain is good at this point. Cotton and Soybeans are in good condition with corn being the real concern at this point. Did early corn get enough rain for kernel fill and is late corn going to recover from lack of rain? Hopefully we will still have some average yields on corn but certainly yields will be down. Farmers are making sprays for budworms, stinkbugs and armyworms in crops and have had several calls of armyworms in pasture. Cattle are in good condition.” J. C. Dupree, Jr, Lauderdale County

“The producers in Fayette County faced hot and dry conditions this week. Insects are building in fields. Many of the crops are ahead of schedule. More rain is needed.” Jeffery Via, Fayette County

“Late week showers brought .3″ or less precipitation to the county, providing little relief to drought conditions. Some producers have made insecticide applications for armyworms in hay, pasture and soybeans.”  Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Not much in the way of rain this week but pastures and hay fields are really growing right now. Many acres of hay have been harvested this week. Beans continue to look better.” Kevin Rose, Giles County

“Pastures and fields remain green. Pastures remain overgrazed with little recovery. Johnson grass is the primary grass in hay fields.” Cynthia Zeitz, Jackson County

“Our hay fields are looking good after the rain, most of the corn the rain is too late to help. We have some corn that is a total loss because it did not germinate. Our soybeans and tobacco is looking much better. Where we have crabgrass and bermuda things look much better on the hay production for fall.” Larry Moorehead, Moore County

“Thankful for the rain. A flush of Johnsongrass, crabgrass and other summer grasses has folks back in the hay fields harvesting hay. The rain has really helped the soybeans but was a little late to have a significant impact on the corn. Tobacco looks better as well.” Ruth Correll, Wilson County

“Heat and humidity return! No rain for the past week giving most fields a chance to dry out. A few low areas have drowned out do to ponding from heavy downpours late last week. A little corn was shelled this week with yields reported in the 60 to 90 bushel range. Grain moisture ranged from 18 to 30 percent.” Ed Burns, Franklin County

“More rain has improved our soybean crops and pasture condition.” Jared Goad, Marion County

“Rains over the past 10-12 days have greened up the pasture and hayfields with crabgrass, dallisgrass and Johnsongrass showing good response. Other grasses such as fescue, timothy and Orchard grass is slow to respond if it is still there. Most corn past the point of help in filling our ears. Most soybeans show remarkable improvement.”  Scott Chadwell, Putnam County