Cotton Planting Forecast 5/13 to 5/18: We did have a small window to plant this past week. A little cotton and corn was planted during that time.  Hopefully, the cotton will establish a stand with all the rain on Friday. It is hard to imagine right now, with all the rain coming down today (5/10), but this next week is by far the most favorable forecast we have had to plant this spring.  DD 60 accumulation across the state ranges from good to very good.  There is some chance of rain for the northern counties of West Tennessee on Thursday which could delay some planting.  On the bright side a small shower then could help the cotton planted this past week establish a stand.  

North West Tenn. (Dyersburg): Predicted DD60 accumulation for that 5 day window: 48 (Good). Temperatures will range from the low 80s to mid 50s over the 5 day period. There is a 60% chance of rain on Thursday (5/17). This is a very similar forecast as last week for Dyersburg.  The biggest difference is there will be a little more DD60 accumulation to work with.  Hopefully the rain chances will dissipate for Thursday.   

Central West Tenn. (Jackson): Predicted DD60 accumulation over the 5 day period: 43 (Good). Temperatures will range from the low 80s to low 50s during that window of time. It looks like a 30% chance of rain on Thursday (5/17) so the window for planting looks pretty good. 

South West Tennessee (Memphis): Predicted DD60 accumulation over the 5 day period: 51 (Very Good). Temperatures will range from the low 80s to mid 50s during that stretch of time. The forecast calls for 0% chance of rain during that period of time so looks like a good window to plant cotton. 

Middle Tennessee (Fayetteville): Predicted DD60 accumulation over the 5 day period: 26 (Good). Temperatures will range from the low 80s to Mid 40s during that 5 day window. No chance of rain is forecasted so looks like the planting window has opened.