As reported by NASS on November 13, 2012

HARVEST WINDING DOWN… SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THANKSGIVING

 Soybean and cotton harvest are coming to an end and should be finishing up within the next couple weeks. Wheat planting is approaching completion, with less than 15 percent of the crop left to be seeded. Over 80 percent of the wheat was rated in good-to-excellent condition, as over half has emerged. Some farmers have started feeding hay. They also saw a brief break in the recent cold temperatures as the weekend brought warmer days. Other farm activities this week include stripping tobacco and preparing tobacco for sale.

There were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 5 percent very short, 20 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Temperatures this past week averaged normal across the West and slightly below normal throughout the remainder of the state. Rainfall amounts averaged 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

 “Harvest for soybeans and cotton are nearly complete. Farmers are finishing wheat planting and will be turning their attention to next year’s seed orders and pricing.” J.C. Dupree, Jr., Lauderdale County

“The farmers in Fayette County had a good week harvesting beans and cotton. Most of the cotton has been harvested and beans will be finished in another two weeks. The weather started chilly this week, warmed-up and another front is supposed to move in this weekend.” Jeffery Via, Fayette County

“Everyone is trying to finish up harvesting crops.” Jake Mallard, Madison County

“Producers took advantage of late week sunshine in getting soybeans harvested and wheat seeded. Harvest and wheat seeding should conclude by this weekend for most producers.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Soybean harvest almost completed. Soybean yields have been better than expected for the most part. Wheat planting is slowing down.” Kevin Rose, Giles County

“Soybean harvest continues with many yields in the 50-60 bu. range. With good weather, almost all of the soybean crop should be out of the field by Thanksgiving. County corn yields will probably be only 50-60 bu. It appeared that we have an adequate supply of hay on hand. On June 30 we only had 50% of the hay that we typically have for that date. Adequate rain starting in July resulted in an adequate hay crop, better than average soybean crop but was “too little, too late” for the corn crop.” Richard Groce, Maury County

“It’s been cool this week but only a threat of rain. We harvested beans 4 days and a lot of wheat was planted. What is up looks good. Cattle are looking mostly good and the frost bitten pastures are ready to start grazing by this weekend or the first of the week.” Larry Moorehead, Moore County

“Showers the first half of the week produced from 0.6 to 1.0 inch of rain keeping field activities to a minimum. A number of producers report near finish with beans and wheat planting. Yields continue to be excellent with several producers reporting wheat bean yields in the 50 – 60 bushel per acre range.” Ed Burns, Franklin County

“Some late soybeans still in the field. Yields a little better than expected. Seems to be plenty of hay.”

Scott Chadwell, Putnam County

“Good week for harvesting soybeans and planting wheat. Some hay feeding is beginning.”

J. Dale Beaty, Warren County

“Soybean harvest is nearing completion. Some livestock producers are feeding hay due to reduced pasture stands.”  John Wilson, Blount County y, Sullivan County