As reported by NASS on April 8, 2013

FARM ACTIVITIES SLOWED BY WET, COOL CONDITIONS

A mixture of a wet spring and below normal temperatures has delayed field activities. Corn planting, in particular, has been delayed and at week’s end was only one percent completed. This compares with the near record pace last year and the five-year average of 13 percent. The main farm activities last week included top-dressing wheat, fertilizer application and working livestock. The fruit acreage was budding and starting to bloom. The wheat crop, which is in mostly good-to-excellent condition, is in the jointing stage. Pastures just this week showed good growth. Cattle were in good condition.

There were 2.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent short, 57 percent adequate and 42 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus. Temperatures continued to be below normal. Rainfall amounts averaged slightly above average in the East, but below average elsewhere.

County Agent Comments

 “Wheat top dressing has been completed. Wheat progressing pretty well but current cooler weather and rainy conditions have slowed growth and any field activities on wheat. Light aphid infestations are being reported in some isolated field locations. Corn planting has barely begun with only a few acres planted late last week and earlier this week.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County

“Farmers are ready to plant corn but weather conditions are just not favorable, too cool and wet. Wheat overall, is in good condition with no anomalies. Cattle are in good condition, even though hay is in short supply. Pastures are greening up but most have been grazed too low for cattle benefit.” J. C. Dupree, Jr., Lauderdale County

“Farmers are waiting for drier and warmer weather to plant corn. Wheat looks good for the most part. Burn down and fertility treatments are being made when they can get in the field. Hay is getting in low supply.” Jeffery D. Via, Fayette County

“The wheat crop is looking very good. As far as the corn planting, the county is running behind schedule due obviously to the wet weather.” Walter Battle, Haywood County

“The pastures are starting to come out now that the weather has warmed up a bit and fertilizer has been put down.”  Laurie Mobley, Houston County

“Extremely cool and wet March extended into the first week of April resulting in a very slow beginning to spring. Pastures are slowly beginning to grow. Corn planters are setting on go, waiting for drier and warmer weather forecasted for next week.” Calvin Bryant, Lawrence County

“We are later than usual this year. We’ve had rain this winter but our subsoil moisture is still low. Wet weather springs are not running. Cattle are looking good but our pastures are poor. We’ve applied a lot of fertilizer, but the weather is still too cool for grass to grow.” Larry Moorehead, Moore County

“Farmers have been readying equipment for use so they’ll be ready when conditions allow planting. Some fertilizer has been spread on pastures. Cool season turf grasses that have been fertilized this spring have excellent color and are exhibiting increasing growth; warm season turf grasses not showing much sign of breaking dormancy, with some green stems apparent in protected areas subject to a bit more heat.” Mitchell Mote, Rutherford County

“Rains have prevented most crops and pasture spring activities. Having to feed hay since grass has not started to grow. Some farmers have exhausted hay supplies and finding less than abundant hay for sale that is locally close.” Ruth Correll, Wilson County

“Wet and cool conditions continue to stall spring activities. Wheat and canola crops continue to do well with cool temperatures. The bulk of the wheat is beginning to joint; the canola crop is beginning to bolt to 50% bloom. Insect and disease pressure continues to be slight to none. Cool wet weather has kept corn planters in the shed. Weather has also hampered burn down activities. Weather has also slowed grass emergence, as livestock producers continue to feed hay. Most producers reporting cattle consuming more hay than usual and hay stocks are dwindling with a number of producers having to buy hay to make it to spring green-up.” Ed Burns, Franklin County

“Too wet to plow! Frequent rains and cool, cloudy weather have slowed grass development in pastures. The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is emerging from its winter rest and has been reported in most sections of the county.” John Wilson, Blount County