As reported by NASS on May 20, 2013

 BEST WEEK OF PLANTING THIS SPRING, BUT STILL WELL BEHIND NORMAL

Favorable weather conditions finally arrived last week as farmers made the most of the four and a half days of decent planting conditions. Cotton and soybean plantings at the week’s end still lagged a full two weeks behind the five-year average pace. Corn producers last week were re-seeding some fields and working around wet spots in others. Overall, progress is about ten days behind the five-year average. Tobacco transplanting began last week. In addition to planting, other farm activities last week included side dressing corn, herbicide applications and working cattle. The encouraging news is that the wheat crop has continued to be rated in good-to-excellent condition.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 60 percent adequate and 40 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent short, 62 percent adequate and 37 percent surplus. Temperatures across the state last week averaged 1 degree below normal across east Tennessee and the plateau and 2 to 3 degrees above normal across middle and west Tennessee. Rainfall amounts averaged 0.6 to 0.94 inches below normal across middle and west Tennessee and 0.6 to 1.94 inches above normal across east Tennessee and the plateau.

County Agent Comments

“Progress has been made this week in finishing up late corn planting on good ground and under irrigation. Some spotty replants have also occurred. Producers started planting cotton and early soybeans this week as well. Dyer County is still experiencing flooded acreage in Mississippi Delta bottom areas along Forked Deer and Obion Rivers. Farmers are moving around from dry spot to dry spot or airing out ground to be able to plant some fields. Wheat is progressing well and looking really good at this point in time. Wheat crop yield potential looks great but things can change before harvest time. Planted corn acres have had surprisingly good uniform emergence in most cases despite the cool, wet weather we have experienced over the last three weeks.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County

“Once again rains have stopped planting. More rain forecasted. Corn planting will probably be finished with last night’s rain and the calendar date. There is wheat down in quite a few fields this morning.” Richard Buntin, Crockett County

“The farmers in Fayette County have been very busy this week planting corn, re-planting corn, beans and cotton. Other activities include hay cutting and spraying. The ground has finally warmed up enough to plant cotton and, up until Thursday, was dry enough to plant with sunshine most of the week. Later in the week showers came back in.”  Jeffery Via, Fayette County

“Producers were able to take advantage of the sunshine, warm temperatures and windy conditions that dried soil enough to get back into the fields this week. Additional acres of corn were planted or re-planted in some cases, while other corn acres received side-dress applications of nitrogen or post-emerge herbicides. Forage producers were able to harvest several acres of first-cut hay with the good drying conditions.” Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Tobacco transplanting and hay cutting is underway this week. Replant of corn and planting of “wet” fields finally completed by Thursday. Strawberry producers began selling on Monday.” Paul Hart, Robertson County

“Drier conditions allowed producers to get back into fields. Showers at the beginning and end of the week produced from 0.5 to 0.75 inches of rain for most of the county, with a few isolated areas reporting 1.0 to 1.3 inches. The wheat crop has pollinated and is beginning to show signs of turning. Warmer temperatures have helped corn progress; producers were busy planting/replanting, and side dressing. Most producers still trying to get a few more acres planted or are replanting flooded areas. A few producers have switched to soybeans. About 10% of the (soybean) crop is planted. Cotton producers got a few acres in. Hay producers took advantage of the drier conditions to get about 40% of the first cutting harvested.”  Ed Burns, Franklin County

“Haymaking began in earnest last week with favorable weather until Saturday when rains returned. Wind and heavy rains over the weekend caused some reported damage to a few wheat fields.” John Wilson, Blount County

“Wet conditions continue to hamper corn and soybean planting as well as hay cutting. Many farmers have wrapped wheat for baleage instead of making hay. Apple growers are reporting great pollination of all varieties despite the wet conditions. Major concern is hitting the window for chemical thinning of crops.” Kim Frady, Bradley County