As reported by NASS on October 1, 2012
MILD AUTUMN WEATHER GOOD FOR HARVEST
Despite scattered showers last week, corn harvest was coming to a close and farmers have turned their focus to harvesting cotton and soybeans. Cotton, soybean, and burley tobacco harvest was progressing at a near normal pace, while dark fire and dark air-cured tobacco harvest continued to lag behind, reportedly because of labor shortages. Many farmers wrapped-up the fall hay harvest last week. A few wheat growers have begun seeding. Nurseries were active digging for fall sales. Armyworms continued to affect pastures.
Six days were suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 18 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 7 percent very short, 25 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Temperatures in East Tennessee averaged below normal while the remainder averaged above normal. Rainfall averaged below normal across the state.
|
Crop Condition % September 30, 2012 |
||||||
|
Very Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
||
| Cotton |
TN |
1% |
4% |
26% |
58% |
11% |
|
US |
12% |
19% |
27% |
32% |
10% |
|
| Soybeans |
TN |
1% |
8% |
26% |
51% |
14% |
|
US |
14% |
19% |
32% |
29% |
6% |
|
| Pasture |
TN |
2% |
10% |
35% |
48% |
5% |
|
US |
30% |
25% |
25% |
18% |
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 |
|||||
|
September 30, 2012 |
September 23, 2012 |
September 30, 2011 |
5 Year Average | ||
| Corn for Grain Harvested |
TN |
92% |
85% |
78% |
73% |
|
US |
54% |
39% |
18% |
20% |
|
| Soybeans Dropping leaves |
TN |
72% |
62% |
63% |
74% |
|
US |
85% |
73% |
71% |
77% |
|
| Soybeans Harvested |
TN |
17% |
9% |
11% |
20% |
|
US |
41% |
22% |
15% |
19% |
|
| Cotton Bolls Opening |
TN |
92% |
87% |
83% |
86% |
|
US |
78% |
69% |
81% |
73% |
|
| Cotton Defoliated | TN |
75% |
50% |
60% |
62% |
| Cotton Harvested |
TN |
19% |
11% |
9% |
17% |
|
US |
14% |
10% |
15% |
15% |
|
County Agent Comments
“Recent rains will slow soybean and cotton harvest for three to four days, then progress will resume. Corn harvest is basically done for the year. We have some fields not being harvested because of low yields. Soybean harvest seems to be above average on most acres and cotton is averaging 1 1/2 to 2 bales according to producers.” J.C. Dupree, Jr., Lauderdale County
“The farmers in Fayette County have been busy harvesting cotton and beans. Yields are better than expected but are variable depending on soils.” Jeffery Via, Fayette County
“Armyworms continue to plague pastures. Harvest is running about two weeks ahead of schedule.” Walter Battle, Haywood County
“Cotton Pickers are in full swing this week. Most of the corn has been harvested. Got a little shower Wednesday which is helping put some size on the soybean pods.” Jake Mallard, Madison County
“Scattered showers and thunderstorms prevented producers from completing corn harvest this week, but they should finish next week with favorable weather conditions. Soybean harvest made some progress between showers. Farmers are busy with soil testing and land preparation in anticipation of wheat seeding.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County
“Giles County received another inch of rain this week. Crop harvest continued with some late hay being harvested.” Kevin Rose, Giles County
“We had an excellent harvesting week. We could use some rain.” Larry Moorehead, Moore County
“Some tobacco damage is showing up in the barns due to poor curing conditions. No frost damage visible to tobacco still in the field. Harvest proceeding slowly due to labor shortage.” David Glover, Smith County
“No rain and seasonable temperatures made for a very active week in the field. Corn harvest is all but done; about 95% of the crop is harvested with the County average yield estimated at 95 bushels per acre. Soybean harvest activity gained momentum as the crop is maturing and bean moisture drying fast. Early yield reports have been excellent and mostly 50 to 75 bushel per acre. A few farmers finishing up hay harvest. Wheat and canola producers were busy this week preparing ground and planters for seeding.” Ed Burns, Franklin County
“Corn yields are as low as 20 bu/ac. one or two areas have managed 100 bu/ac, but most reports are less than 50 bu/ac.” Sheldon Barker, Sequatchie County
“Dry weather all week, farmers busy harvesting corn and soybeans. Corn yields are 30 to 100 bushels plus, depending mostly on planting date. Hay harvest is wrapping up. Farmers made more hay this fall than last spring. Barns are full, ready for winter feeding. Nurseries doing some digging for fall sales.” J. Dale Beaty, Warren County
“Many hay producers have finished harvesting. It’s mostly Johnsongrass, Dallisgrass and Broomsedge. Quality of hay is medium to fair. Late beans are looking good.” John Goddard, Loudon County
