As reported by NASS on September 4, 2012

HURRICANE REMNANTS BOOST SOIL MOISTURE SUPPLIES

The remnants of Hurricane Isaac dropped significant rainfall in many areas last week which boosted soil moisture supplies. The effects of this rainfall are likely to improve soil moisture ratings as well as cotton, soybean and pasture conditions in these areas. At week’s end it was too early to fully measure the impact. Crops remained in mostly fair-to-good condition. Farming activities this week included: hay, corn, and tobacco harvest, spraying pastures, and weeding nurseries. Some early soybean harvest has also been reported.

There were 5 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 4 percent very short, 34 percent short, 57 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 10 percent very short, 41 percent short, 48 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Temperatures and precipitation averaged above normal across the state.

 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

 “Corn harvest progressing rapidly. Still struggling to move grain up and down Mississippi River. Local private elevator has already filled up one ground pile facility and now piling corn up on ground in empty lot across from elevator location. Corn yields have been ranging from 30 to 226 bushels per acre dryland. Many fields yielding better than expected. Anticipate a county average of about 100 bushels per acre when it’s all done.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County

“Got a decent rain on Saturday evening from hurricane Isaac and this greatly improved our soybean and cotton situation. Corn harvest is well underway with majority of farmers nearing completion. Surprisingly, corn yields are better than expected. Still had some low yields but some dryland corn yielded 165+ bu. This rain helped soybeans to complete pod fill and cotton to set bolls. Despite pastures being in poor condition, cattle are in good shape.”  J.C. Dupree, Jr., Lauderdale County

“The farmers in Fayette County have been busy harvesting corn and trying to beat the hurricane. Some started harvesting beans and some started defoliating cotton. Rain started to move into the area Thursday. Beans, pastures and hayfields need it.” Jeffery Via, Fayette County

“Scattered thunderstorms on Monday evening dropped from a trace up to 2.7 inches of rain. Harvesting of corn continues as well as a small acreage of early maturing soybeans. Soybean yields are running from 20 to 40 bushels per acre.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Corn harvest is going full speed. Yields are as bad as expected in dry land corn. Good yields reported under irrigation. Beans looking good. Many acres of johnsongrass hay being harvested. Some lost pastures due to fall armyworms.” Kevin Rose, Giles County

“Corn harvest has started on the small amount of corn that did produce grain. Soybeans in general are looking good but have some that will be pushed to mature before frost. Cattle are looking good. Summer grasses continue to be harvested for hay.” Ruth Correll, Wilson County

“A mostly dry week finished out with 1.0 to 1.5 inches of rain from the remnants of hurricane Isaac on Sunday (8/2). Temperatures were seasonable with highs around 90 and lows around 70. Corn harvest continues to gain momentum with about 40% of the grain harvested. Grain moisture is slow to dry, elevators reporting very little dry corn delivered, moisture ranging from upper teens to mid 20% range. Yields continue to range mostly from 75 to 100 bushels per acre. Early maturing, single crop beans continue to mature with about 30% of the crop dropping leaves. A few acres of beans have been harvested. Cotton continues to look good with a few bolls beginning to crack. Producers have taken advantage of excellent weather for hay harvest the past couple of weeks. A number of producers applied nitrogen to fescue pastures and preparing to sow winter annuals.” Ed Burns, Franklin County

“Rains on Sunday brought much-needed moisture . . . enough to aid in fall seeding of forages. Second-cuting hay harvest continues with reports of yields averaging about half of normal.” John Wilson, Blount County

“Some spotty showers have helped those small areas. Most areas are dry again and need rain. Much hay was baled this week, mostly Johnsongrass. Lots of corn harvested this week, mostly poor quality.” John Goddard, Loudon County