EARLY CORN HARVEST UNDERWAY ON LIMITED BASIS
Corn for grain harvest has begun and roughly a third of the corn crop is physiologically mature. Except for corn, all crops remain in fair-to-good condition. A few parts of the state, especially West Tennessee still need a soaking rain. Soybeans have begun to drop leaves but most of the crop is blooming and setting pods. Even though dry conditions have persevered in some areas of the state, pastures continued to green-up and rebound. The main farming activities last week included tobacco topping, pesticide applications, and hay, silage, and tobacco harvesting.
There were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 9 percent very short, 29 percent short, 56 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 18 percent very short, 35 percent short, 43 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Temperatures last week averaged near normal across the state. Rainfall amounts averaged below normal across Middle and West Tennessee and above normal across East Tennessee and the Plateau.
|
Crop Condition % August 12, 2012 |
||||||
|
Very Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
||
| Corn |
TN |
25% |
29% |
27% |
17% |
2% |
|
US |
26% |
25% |
26% |
20% |
3% |
|
| Cotton |
TN |
3% |
9% |
33% |
49% |
6% |
|
US |
10% |
18% |
30% |
32% |
10% |
|
| Soybeans |
TN |
4% |
13% |
37% |
40% |
6% |
|
US |
16% |
22% |
32% |
26% |
4% |
|
| Pasture |
TN |
12% |
23% |
38% |
25% |
2% |
|
US |
32% |
27% |
24% |
15% |
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 |
|||||
|
August 12, 2012 |
August 5, 2012 |
August 12, 2011 |
5 Year Average | ||
| Corn Dented |
TN |
83% |
71% |
59% |
66% |
|
US |
42% |
26% |
14% |
16% |
|
| Corn Mature |
TN |
32% |
11% |
10% |
11% |
|
US |
10% |
6% |
6% |
3% |
|
| Corn for Grain Harvested |
TN |
6% |
– |
0% |
1% |
|
US |
– |
– |
– |
– |
|
| Soybeans Blooming |
TN |
95% |
90% |
91% |
90% |
|
US |
97% |
93% |
92% |
92% |
|
| Soybeans Setting Pods |
TN |
80% |
72% |
69% |
73% |
|
US |
83% |
71% |
64% |
70% |
|
| Cotton Setting Bolls |
TN |
89% |
80% |
91% |
94% |
|
US |
89% |
74% |
86% |
81% |
|
| Cotton Bolls Opening |
TN |
– |
– |
– |
1% |
|
US |
12% |
9% |
11% |
10% |
|
County Agent Comments
“Drought conditions continue to take its toll. Have heard of corn yields on dry land corn ranging from 30 to 120 bushels per acre. Expecting worm pressure to build in soybeans during next couple of weeks with reports of corn earworm/bollworm moth flights numbers on the rise.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County
“High temperature and little precipitation have soybeans on the ropes. Some soybeans are beginning to drop leaves. Corn harvest has started with reported yields in the 30 to 120 bushel per acre range.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County
“A dry week allowed farmers to begin corn shelling with almost all early yield reports being very poor. Hay making was also the story of the week as producers were busy trying to build on very short hay supplies.” Calvin Bryant, Lawrence County
“With the scattered rainfalls and lower temperatures growing conditions have greatly improved pasture conditions. Farmers have reported improvements in their crops with beans and tomatoes setting more blooms and fruit.” David Cook, Davidson County
“Wet weather has seemed to set in parts of the county receiving 6-7 inches of rain last weekend. Tobacco has gone from drought to flooded. Bigger tobacco is blowing over in thunderstorms. Pastures are green, johnsongrass and crabgrass hay is doing well, but weeds are beginning to takeover.” Jason Evitts, Trousdale County
“Corn harvest continues on a limited number between showers, about 10% of the crop has been harvested with yield reports between 40 to 140 bushels per acre for field averages, with 70 to 80 bushels being the most common yield reported. Soybeans continue to improve, the bulk of the full season beans filling pods, and double crop beans in full bloom to early pod set. A few early maturing beans beginning to yellow and shed leaves. Producers applying fungicides and finishing up herbicide applications. Cotton continues to improve and setting bolls. Pastures continue to improve with moisture, cooler temperatures should get cool season grasses started for fall growth. Producers continue to harvest warm season grasses. Most producers with surplus 2012 hay stocks think they will be in good shape for winter. A few producers still needing hay.” Ed Burns, Franklin County
“Widespread rain across the county has slowed many activities. Corn silage harvest continues along with bushogging pastures and fly control on cattle. Apple growers are harvesting Gala, size is small but quality is excellent. Empire and Golden Delicious are up next with growers hoping to get more size before harvest.” Kim Frady, Blount County
“Hail/wind storms rip through Grainger County. This has caused some damage on tobacco and tomato crops.” Anthony Carver, Grainger
