RAINS CONTINUE

Rains continued last week, keeping most farmers out of their fields. Corn, cotton, and soybean planting remained on hold as farmers waited for the rains to stop. Tobacco plants were ready to be transplanted, but producers were unable to get into the fields due to excessive moisture. The rains did improve pasture and hay conditions, but many hay fields were short due to the adverse effects of last year’s drought. There were 2.0 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was 1 percent short, 54 percent adequate, and 45 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were 5 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 30 percent surplus. Hay and Roughage Supplies were 11 percent very short, 28 percent short, 55 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Continue reading at TN_05_01_17. The U.S. Crop Progress report can be read at CropProg-05-01-2017.