As reported by NASS on June 3, 2013

 CORN PLANTING FINALLY ABOUT WRAPPED-UP

With corn planting about completed, growers shifted their focus last week to other farm activities such as soybean and cotton planting, hay harvest, and tobacco transplanting. The 6 days suitable for field work this past week allowed growers to make tremendous progress in all endeavors. However, spring operations remained behind schedule. Weekend rains hampered activities. The wheat crop was rated in mostly good-to-excellent condition, with 75 percent turning color. Other field activities included herbicide application and side-dressing. Cattle were rated in mostly good-to-excellent condition.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 12 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 6 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. The temperatures were above normal for the entire week across the whole state. Rainfall was above average for West and East Tennessee, near normal for the Plateau, and slightly below average elsewhere.

County Agent Comments

 “Wheat has really begun changing in color this week. Still looking good. Some corn replanting occurring on some fields where recent heavy rains caused stand establishment problems. Some cotton acres are being replanted for the same reason because of cool weather and seedling disease issues after heavy rains. Soybean planting progressed fairly well for the week. Producers trying also to catch up on spraying for weeds in all crops.” Tim Campbell, Dyer County

“Producers finally got some decent planting weather last week and most of our acres got planted. Friday rains prevented producers from finishing up planting on upland soils. Some bottomlands have been planted but most is still too wet. Cattle are in excellent condition with hay producers having somewhat of a tough time cutting hay between all the rains.”  J. C. Dupree, Jr., Lauderdale County

“This week was the longest window of field working opportunity this spring. Many producers were able to complete corn planting and some made the switch to soybeans. Producers were also busy making post-emerge herbicide and side-dress fertilizer applications to corn. The warm, dry conditions also helped in advancing forage harvesting activities.”  Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

“Excellent weather conditions have allowed tobacco growers to finish setting their early transplanting. Many producers have now harvested their early hay crop. Soybean planting is well underway and the wheat crop looks great.”  Ronnie Barron, Cheatham County

“It was a drier week. Lots of hay was cut and the push was on to get it baled. Yield and quality reports ranged from fair to good. Rain showers in some parts of the county on Friday caught hay on the ground. Small grains harvested for silage was reported as very good production this year. Corn height runs from 2 inches to 10 inches but some producers are replanting corn that flooded out in low areas. One producer reported losses of 75% in low field areas. Soybeans are being planted but no-till is difficult due to ground being hard. Wheat is reported as fair to good with most being in the soft dough stage when checked the latter part of the week. Tobacco is reported as good with about 65% transplanted to the field. Some sorghum has been planted and has emerged. Fruit producers reported the strawberry crop as medium production this year with berries being smaller than usual. Blueberries are in good condition at this point.”  Ruth Correll, Wilson County

“Producers took advantage of the first full dry week of the year to catch up on a number of field activities. With temperatures normal to slightly above, the wheat crop is drying fast. As producers consider harvest, head scab and weed pressure, especially ryegrass, will be an issue in a number of fields. The canola crop is also drying fast. The corn crop is beginning to shape up. Producers were busy side-dressing and applying post herbicides. A few final acres were planted. Cotton and soybean producers were busy catching up on planting, and a lot of hay producers reporting finally finished with first cutting.” Ed Burns, Franklin County

“Hay-making and corn planting was the main focus with favorable weather this week. Corn planting is nearing completion and producers are turning their attention to soybeans. Heavy rains at end of week totaling 2 to 3 inches have left standing water in several wheat fields.” John Wilson, Blount County