As reported by NASS on November 25, 2013

COTTON, SOYBEAN HARVESTS LIKELY TO GO INTO DECEMBER

Producers looked for opportunities to do field work last week, as rains occasionally brought crop harvest and wheat planting progress to a halt. Growers who have finished are assisting others. The last time cotton and soybean harvests ran so late in the season was in 2009, also due to inclement weather. Burley tobacco stripping made very little progress because of low humidity and available labor. Greenhouse tomato growers reported a late blight outbreak, which could   adversely affect yields. There were 5.0 days suitable for field work last week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 12 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 13percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 15 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus.

 County Agent Comments

Harvest had really picked up but rains brought it to a halt, further delaying the harvest season and wheat planting. The wheat that has been planted looks very good. With so much rain there will be some quality issues in regard to unharvested cotton. Cotton yields continue to have a wide yield range (350-900 pounds). Several non-irrigated soybean fields are producing 40+ bushel yields. Pastures are in great shape as we continue into fall. Walter Battle, Haywood County

Crop harvest is progressing. Weather conditions allowed harvest to start and run for 2-3 days before rain shut us down for 2-3 days. Some growers are finished and are assisting others. Richard Buntin, Crockett County

The farmers in Fayette County had some rain and freezing temperatures late in the week. Before this, they were busy harvesting and trying to finish wheat planting. Jeffery D. Via, Fayette County

Fall greenhouse tomato growers reported late blight outbreak. Tomatoes will be 25% or greater short in yield. Anthony Carver, Grainger County

We still have small pockets of corn to harvest with large acreages of beans and cotton to harvest. No doubt, major acres of beans and cotton to be harvested in December. Some winter wheat is still being planted. Pastures are looking good for this time of year and cattle farmers have plenty of hay stored. Cattle are in excellent shape. JC Dupree, Jr, Lauderdale County

Corn and bean harvests almost completed with best yields in years. Wheat looks very good. Kevin Rose, Giles County

We are working as much as we can around Mother Nature. Crops are still looking good. Jake Mallard, Madison County

Soybean producers made the most of this week’s weather conditions and almost got 3 days of running time. Rain started midafternoon on Thursday and continued into Friday. Several acres of soybeans are yet to be harvested. Some wheat seeding occurred this week. Minor acreage might be seeded during the next window of opportunity, but the bulk of the crop is planted. Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

Corn harvest is complete. Soybean harvest is wrapping up. Tobacco is being stripped but weather and available labor are slowing progress. Pastures, particularly fall seeded pastures, need some moisture. Cattle are looking good. Ruth Correll, Wilson County

Much needed rain fell this week, which should help with wheat germination and growth. All but the last of the beans and cotton are left to be harvested. Ed Burns, Franklin County

Much needed rain for the wheat crop ranging from 1.5 to 2.0 inches fell this week. All but a few soybeans remain to finish up harvest. Ed Burns, Marion County

Hay feeding in full bore. Pasture is all about gone. 1.5 inch of rain this week. John Goddard, Loudon County

 This is the last weekly Crop Progress report issued for the 2013 season. The first weekly report for 2014 will be released on Monday, April 7, 2014.