As reported by NASS on April 21, 2014

 ROW CROP PLANTING STILL OFF TO ROUGH START

STRAWBERRY CROP DAMAGE REPORTED

A cold snap seriously damaged and/or killed unprotected, open strawberry blooms, and also had negative effects on the apple crop. Though the extent of damage has not yet been determined, losses of up to 40 percent of the strawberry crop have been reported in some areas of the State. Statewide, over one-third of the crop is rated in fair condition. Cool soil temperatures and rain again hampered corn and cotton plantings. Wheat, pastures, and cattle continue to flourish. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 5 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 4 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. There were 4.0 days suitable for field work last week.

County Agent Comments

Farmers are making timely applications of wheat sprays and beginning to plant corn. Rains and cool weather halted corn and cotton planting. J.C. Dupree, Lauderdale County

Despite being late, the wheat crop is looking great! Cool soil temperatures and rains continue to delay corn and cotton planting. A mid-week frost did not help matters at all. Pastures are receiving great benefit from the rains and cattle are looking great as a result. Walter Battle, Haywood County

Lots of corn planted this week. Many fields have been burnt down in preparation for planting in the coming weeks. Pastures are green and many hay fields have been treated for weeds. Jake Mallard, Madison County

Producers were able to push the “re-start” button late week as drier soil conditions allowed herbicide and fertilizer applications to be made, and corn planters started rolling again. Temperatures dipped as low as the upper 20’s mid-week, but few problems were noted in winter wheat fields. Jeff Lannom, Weakley County

The freeze/frost this week caused slight to moderate damage to early gardens and flowering plants. Have not be able to ascertain how much damage to fruit crops. Ricky Skillington, Marshall County

Cool, wet weather slowed things down this week. We are fertilizing and spraying pastures and hay land. Some corn is getting planted but it is coming up slowly due to cool weather. Larry Moorehead, Moore County

A freeze on the morning of 4/16 killed all the unprotected open blooms of strawberries, resulting in an estimated 30-40% crop loss. Strawberries protected with row covers suffered minimal damage. Peaches suffered some loss as well. Bob Ary, Sumner County

Cold, freezing temperatures were a recurring topic of conversation this week. Damage to fruit crops will not be known for a period of time. Fruit producers are hoping for the best. Wheat looks fine, as it had not progressed to a vulnerable stage. Field work is progressing with some corn being planted. Other activities include spreading fertilizer and spraying as conditions allow. A. Ruth Correll, Wilson County

We had some corn to get burned by the freeze this week. It was up about 4”. We also had some reports on vegetables in greenhouses being killed by the freeze. Creig Kimbro, Grundy County

Strawberries sustained damage when temperatures dipped into the 20’s with some reports of about 25% loss of existing blooms. Many cattle producers are still feeding hay with the still-sluggish pasture growth. John Wilson, Blount County

Frosts this week hammered apples. Still feeding some hay. Lots of homeowners saw damage to local shrubs/flowers/vegetables. Corn planting started up again this week. John Goddard, Loudon County