As reported by NASS on September 9, 2013
HOT, DRY WEATHER CONTINUED
It was another hot, dry week this past week with 6.5 days suitable for field work. The cotton crop has responded well to these conditions, although development remained two weeks behind average. All crops were rated in good-to-excellent condition. Corn has begun to dry down with moisture levels reported in the 20-25% range. Other farm activities last week included tobacco and hay harvest. Cattle are rated in good-to-excellent condition.
Topsoil moisture levels were rated 19 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 10 percent short, 87 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Temperatures averaged near normal this past week. Rainfall averaged below normal.
Crop Condition % September 8, 2013 |
||||||
Very Poor |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
||
Corn |
TN |
0% |
2% |
13% |
47% |
38% |
US |
5% |
12% |
29% |
41% |
13% |
|
Cotton |
TN |
2% |
6% |
23% |
51% |
18% |
US |
8% |
13% |
34% |
36% |
9% |
|
Soybeans |
TN |
0% |
5% |
13% |
55% |
27% |
US |
4% |
12% |
32% |
42% |
10% |
|
Pasture |
TN |
0% |
3% |
18% |
61% |
18% |
US |
16% |
20% |
29% |
30% |
5% |
Crop Progress |
|||||
September 8, 2013 | September 1, 2013 | September 8, 2012 | 5 Year Average | ||
Soybeans – Setting Pods |
TN |
93% |
90% |
100% |
99% |
US |
97% |
92% |
99% |
98% |
|
Soybeans- Dropping leaves |
TN |
6% |
2% |
27% |
26% |
US |
11% |
NA |
34% |
19% |
|
Corn-Dent or Beyond |
TN |
95% |
91% |
99% |
98% |
US |
64% |
42% |
92% |
75% |
|
Corn-Mature |
TN |
42% |
27% |
94% |
71% |
US |
9% |
4% |
55% |
28% |
|
Corn-Harvested |
TN |
10% |
2% |
62% |
34% |
US |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
|
Cotton-Bolls Opening |
TN |
7% |
5% |
61% |
46% |
US |
16% |
10% |
34% |
29% |
County Agent Comments
Not much has changed in the last few weeks. Corn is drying down and harvest is beginning. Expecting some good yields on corn. Cotton is in fair to good condition. Cattle producers are stockpiling fescue and still cutting hay. Cattle are in excellent condition. JC Dupree, Lauderdale County
Corn harvest has ramped up. Some producers are concernd with harvest moisture levels. The cotton crop has responded nicely to the warmer temperatures, and the soybeans (as well as pastures) in some parts of the county received a much needed shot of rain (1/2 in). Forage producers continue to harvest a rather large hay crop. There was confirmation of Kudzu bugs infesting the county, but damage is not expected. Walter Battle, Haywood County
Corn harvest has begun. Moisture is running in the low 20’s. Some cotton fields are looking good and others poor. Insecticide treatments should be over in cotton due to the DD60’s from August 15 till present. We had a good rain Sunday that will help make our later planted corn and soybean field. Jake Mallard, Madison County
Found our first Kudzu bugs on the south end of the county this week also we have the biggest population of woolly aphids I’ve ever seen this year. We started shelling corn this week but the moisture is running 22 to 23%. We have put up a lot of good hay this week. Larry Moorehead, Moore County
Lots of hay has been cut during this period of no rain. Corn is approaching harvest and continues to look like it is going to be a good year. Corn silage and forage sorghum production is reported as very good this year. Soybeans are looking good with no significant disease or insect issues being reported but they could use some rain. Some producers are concerned about late soybeans. Pastures continue to look good. Tobacco harvest is approaching being finished. Ruth Correll, Wilson County
For most it was another dry week, isolated showers produced from a trace to less than a tenth of an inch of rain, with a few areas in the southern portion of the County receiving .66 to .87 of an inch. Corn harvest is progressing slowly as grain moisture remains mostly in the mid twenty percent. Reported yields continue to be excellent around the 200 bushel per acre mark. Soybeans are beginning to mature with early beans beginning to turn and shed leaves. Double crop beans are blooming to setting pods. Hay producers continue to take advantage of drier conditions to harvest late summer growth. Ed Burns, Franklin County
If I can say that we are getting dry on the mountain without being accused of being called a liar I would. We are drying out a little. Helped for making hay last 2 weeks though! Creig Kimbro, Grundy County