As reported by NASS on November 5, 2012

GREAT WEATHER FOR FARM ACTIVITIES

 Farmers made a great deal of progress harvesting cotton and soybeans last week as they took advantage of the excellent weather. Growers also accomplished a considerable amount of wheat seeding, with about three-quarters of the acreage seeded at week’s end. Other farm activities included stripping tobacco, marketing tobacco, applying lime, and marketing calves. More than eighty percent of cattle were rated in good-to-excellent condition. A few cattle producers started feeding hay.

There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 15 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent very short, 21 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Temperatures and rainfall averaged well below 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 with cotton and soybean harvest over the past week. Wheat seeding has progressed at rapid pace as well. Indications are that wheat acres will probably be up for 2013. Yields for cotton and soybeans in most cases have been better than expected even with extremely dry conditions for the year. However, there are isolated cases of extremely lower yields due to 2012 growing conditions. Expecting soybean and cotton harvest to be completed by Thanksgiving if good harvest weather prevails.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County

“We are in the final stages of harvest for soybeans and cotton. Yields for both crops are better than expected even with the dry summer. Wheat planting is well underway and farmers are ordering seed and booking prices for next year. Cattle are in really good shape and pastures are in fair to good conditions. A few farmers are feeding hay but most have another 3-4 weeks before hay feeding begins if we continue to have this type of weather.” J.C. Dupree, Jr., Lauderdale County

“Crop harvest is progressing well with better than expected yields for cotton and soybeans.”

Richard Buntin, Crockett County

“Farmers in Fayette County had a great week of wonderful weather and proceeded with harvesting cotton and beans. Other activities were planting wheat.” Jeffery Via, Fayette County

“Three days with frost has made for a slow start in the mornings to harvesting crops this week. Wheat seeding is moving right along and seed is germinating great with the moisture we have in the soil. Wheat acres look to be on the increase this year.” Jake Mallard, Madison County

“Another great week of weather has helped producers seed wheat and harvest soybeans. Many producers have completed both tasks and have moved on to spreading lime, doing dirt work and cleaning up harvest equipment. One more good week of running should finish harvest for all producers.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Giles County got two good frosts this week with low temps reaching 28 degrees. Soybean harvest and wheat planting about wrapped up.” Kevin Rose, Giles County

“Good week for harvesting. Wheat is coming up and fall seeded grasses are looking good. We had two mornings of 25 degrees this week.” Larry Moorehead, Moore County

“Weather this week favored crop harvest. Lots of soybeans were harvested and the production reported has been very good. Some late corn was harvested and reported as very good production considering it is late corn. Forage sorghum was chopped and the production estimate was very good along with good quality.” Ruth Correll, Wilson County

“A second dry week along with windy conditions from hurricane Sandy allowed farmers to keep combines and planters going. Showers Saturday night produced 0.2 to nearly one-half inch of rain. Most producers reporting getting the bulk of their wheat planted. A few producers reporting finished with soybeans, with a number near finished. Cotton harvest is in full swing.” Ed Burns, Franklin County

“Freeze has stopped summer grass growth. Some hay starting to be fed.” Scott Chadwell, Putnam County

“November 1st saw the first general frost of the season. Snow was visible to the east in the Smokies as a result of Hurricane Sandy mixing with arctic air. Soybean harvest is looking favorable.” John Wilson, Blount County

“First killing frost this week. Beef farmers are feeding hay now. Bean harvest in full swing now. Fire ant mounds are numerous.” John Goddard, Loudon County

“Moderate temperatures and rainfall have delayed hay feeding.” Chris Ramsey, Sullivan County