As reported by NASS on October 15, 2012

 FALL HARVEST PROGRESSED AT A GOOD RATE DESPITE RAINFALL

Farmers continued, between rain showers, to make relatively good harvest progress last week. At week’s end, hay and corn harvest were virtually finished. Growers have turned their focus to gathering the soybean and cotton crops and hope to complete tobacco harvest this upcoming week. Other endeavors included wheat seeding, stripping tobacco, fall calving and insect control.

There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 5 percent very short, 20 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Temperatures across the state were slightly below normal for the majority of last week. Rainfall amounts were above normal across the entire 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

   “Producers have made good progress this week with cotton and soybean harvests. Cotton yields in most situations seem to be turning out better than expected at estimated 720 lbs. lint per acre. Soybean harvest progressing well but producers complaining about green stems and green leaves holding on making harvesting tough. Hearing of harvested yields ranging in 30 to 40 bushel range in many cases, however some yields reporting lower in severe stress field situations. Welcomed rain showers are positive to wheat planting currently underway as well.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County

“Cotton and soybean harvest is well underway in the county with soybean yields ranging from 25 to 50 bushels per acre and cotton ranging a bale to 2 bales depending on areas receiving timely rains. Cattle producers are still combating armyworms with activity slowing due to cool temperatures. Rains have improved chances of stockpiling fescue and producers are getting some late cuttings of hay.” J.C. Dupree, Jr., Lauderdale County

“The farmers in Fayette County were busy harvesting cotton and beans once it dried. We caught a shower last weekend that put farmers out of the field. Other than this, farmers are gearing up and starting to plant wheat.”   Jeffery Via, Fayette County

“Recent rains have helped pastures recoup from a severe armyworm infestation. The rains also enabled producers to get another hay cutting.” Walter Battle, Haywood County

“Combines were able to run two days in soybeans this week, hampered by rain and cloudy weather. Wheat seeding has started as well as field work for the upcoming fall crop. Lime spreading has been taking place at a brisk clip.”  Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Sweet potato digging, cotton and hay harvest were delayed by rain. Dallisgrass infected with “staggers” fungus due to wet fall.” David Qualls, Lincoln County

“Cotton harvest just started this week and soybean harvest continued. We had a relatively light frost Thursday morning.” Mitchell Mote, Rutherford County

“Intermittent rain this week prevented most field work. Some spotty light frost was reported. Fall calving is taking place. Tobacco harvest is continuing.” Ruth Correll, Wilson County

“Rains slowing fall field work! With 0.3 – 0.5 inch of rain to start the week and 0.5 inch to end the week, farmers were able to get back into fields on Thursday to harvest a few soybeans. A few soybean producers with late planted soybeans held their breath the first half of the week with the first hint of frost in the forecast. Temperatures dipped into the low forties and upper thirties in a few isolated areas. Very light to scattered frost was observed Tuesday morning, mostly on roof tops and low lying areas. No crop damage has been observed or reported.” Ed Burns, Franklin County

“Last of the fall hay is on the ground. Some corn and soybeans harvested. Light frost 2 nights, but not a killing frost, unless it was on the Plateau.” Scott Chadwell, Putnam County

“Light scattered showers helped to maintain topsoil moisture. Wheat and rye plantings are off to a reasonably good start. Corn harvest is almost finished and soybean harvest is gaining momentum.” John Wilson, Blount County