Crop Progress

As reported by NASS on April 7, 2014

 CORN PLANTING IN PROGRESS

 Persistent rain in most corn planting areas of the State minimized or prevented producer’s ability to get as much of the crop planted as planned, as confirmed by an average of 3.5 days suitable for field work last week. The warmer weather in some areas was welcome as it helped greening of pastures. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 6 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 26 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 5 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus. Winter wheat was jointing, well behind the five-year average due to late row crop harvest last season.

County Agent Comments

Producers still plagued with wet, rainy weather which has hindered corn planting. Wheat is progressing well after tough winter. Second fertilizer applications are basically complete, and some wheat weed control applications going out between showers and where drier fields will allow. A very few spotty acres of corn have been planted. Growers perceive that they are late with their corn planting compared to past years but we still have ample time. Everyone is just hoping for more dry, sunny weather to allow for field operations. Tim Campbell, Dyer County

The farmers in Fayette County are ready to plant corn but, due to wet conditions and a front that moved in late Thursday night, will wait and maybe get going full stem by next week. Wheat has really taken off and looks great. Jeff Via, Fayette County

Wheat crop is looking great. Most producers have top dressed. Some heavy rain has slowed planting. Pasture “green-up” is occurring and the cattle look very good. Walter Battle, Haywood County

Wet weather this week has caused corn planting to stop. Rainfall events occurred at the beginning and ending of the reporting period, allowing for few work days. Some producers were able to make herbicide applications to wheat, with burn-down applications beginning to be made to fields that will be planted to corn. Some anhydrous ammonia was applied to corn land as well. Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

Warm weather this week got more producers in the field fertilizing and spraying. Strong storms dropped about inch of rain across the county late in the week. Kevin Rose, Giles County

Cattle are anxiously awaiting green grass. Grass is beginning to green up but hay is still being fed. Corn planting has been delayed due to wet ground and cold weather. Wheat is also behind. It is tillering but not yet jointing. Less wheat was planted this year due to late soybean harvest last year.

A. Ruth Correll, Wilson County

Pastures are slowly improving with warming temperatures. However, livestock producers are still feeding a significant amount of hay. John Wilson, Blount County

Good rain this morning. Fairly dry for early April. Quite a bit of fruit bud injury from the cold temperatures over the winter and some loss in the freeze last week. Neal Denton, Knox County

Need rain. Pasture and hay is behind due to late freezes and lack of moisture. Chris Ramsey, Sullivan County