As reported by NASS on October 22, 2012

CARBON COPY OF PREVIOUS WEEK —

HARVEST CONTINUES BUT SLOWED BY RAIN

Farmers continued last week with the fall harvest but rains kept them out of the field for two days. Harvest, though, remains near an average pace. The soybean and cotton crops were basically mature at week’s end and awaiting harvest when appropriate. The harvest focus is on soybean fields many of which need to dry down further before harvest. Reported yields per acre to date have been highly variable. Other activities last week included wheat seeding, tobacco harvest and market preparation and lime application.

There were 5 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 7 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 4 percent very short, 19 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus. Rainfall amounts and temperatures averaged above normal across west and east Tennessee and slightly below average for the remainder of 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

 “Rains last week slowed harvest somewhat in Lauderdale County. Some producers are close to completing soybean harvest and turning all the attention to cotton. After talking with several producers, soybean and cotton yields are very much determined by which acres got rains or not.” J.C. Dupree, Jr., Lauderdale County

“There was a slowing down (2-3 days) of harvesting due to rains.” Walter Battle, Haywood County

“Storms that moved through late Wednesday night put a stop to harvesting the crop. Cotton harvest is moving pretty slow. Many people are starting to get the wheat seeded.” Jake Mallard, Madison County

“Combines rolled at a rapid pace until stopped by thunderstorms mid-week in harvesting the soybean crop. Producers were also busy spreading lime and seeding winter wheat.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Giles County got another inch of rain this week which slowed bean harvest. A few acres of late hay continue to be harvested.” Kevin Rose, Giles County

“Raining just often enough to keep people out of the field.” David Qualls, Lincoln County

“After a very early light frost, the weather has been very favorable in recent weeks and looks like tobacco will be completed and in the barn by this time next week with very little to no frost damage. Lots of small grains/ryegrass being drilled in pasture since the crabgrass is dying after frost.” Jason Evitts, Trousdale County

“Significant rain again this week delayed most soybean harvest. Tobacco harvest is continuing. Some hay harvest is still being done. Producers are reporting that fall calves look good.” Ruth Correll, Wilson County

“Rains continue to slow fall progress! For the third week in a row intermittent rain events have limited field activities to only one to two days a week. Rainfall ranging from .8 to 1.25 inches started the week off followed by another .75 to 1.4 inches early Thursday to keep fields and crop too wet to plant or harvest. Temperatures continue to be seasonable.”  Ed Burns, Franklin County

“Still cutting some late hay. Fields a little wet but corn is being harvested.” Scott Chadwell, Putnam County

“Soybean harvest proceeding with yields over all good to excellent.” Dale Beaty, Warren County

“Soybean harvest is well underway. Wheat is looking good so far.” John Wilson, Blount County

“Fall tomatos are very productive. Disease and insect damage is at a normal level.” Anthony Carver, Grainger County

“Moderate temperatures and rainfall have extended grazing this fall.” Chris Ramsey, Sullivan County