RAINS PROVIDE SOME RELIEF

Rains across much of the state provided much needed moisture to most farmers. These rains also brought with them cooler temperatures with many areas reporting frost. Corn, soybean, and cotton harvests continued with most farmers continuing to post favorable yields. The added soil moisture from the recent rains have helped in the emergence of early planted winter wheat. Pasture conditions improved slightly after the rains, but frost kept pastures from making any big improvement and effectively put a stop to the grazing season in many areas. There were 5.2 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 20 percent very short, 24 percent short, 53 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 22 percent very short, 34 percent short, 43 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. You can read the entire report here: TN Crop Weather 10_21_2019.

WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS BRING LITTLE RELIEF

Widely scattered showers occurred across the state last week, but these did little to relieve extremely dry conditions. Corn and soybean harvest continued with producers continuing to report favorable yields for both corn and early crop beans. In some areas, deteriorating pasture conditions forced livestock producers to start feeding hay, leading to concerns that they may run short of hay during the winter months. Availability of water for livestock was also a concern, with some farmers having to haul in water for their herds. There were 6.1 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 35 percent very short, 43 percent short, and 22 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture was rated 28 percent very short, 53 percent short, and 19 percent adequate. Hay & Roughage Supplies rated 1percent very short, 13 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus. You can read the entire report here: TN Crop Weather 09_30_2019. You can also read the latest U.S. Crop Condition report here: US Crop Progress 09_30_2019.

TENNESSEE PERSISTS DESPITE DRY CONDITIONS
Corn harvest continues to progress rapidly with producers reporting favorable yields. Soybean growers with late-planted beans continue to feel effects of the extended hot, dry weather. Baling of hay continued to be a major activity due to near perfect harvesting conditions; some report concerns of quality. Pasture conditions continued to deteriorate as soil moisture decreased, causing worries among livestock producers. Some indicate that the need to feed hay is approaching; creating concern about stock levels through the winter. There were 6.8 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 25 percent very short, 50 percent short, and 25 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture was rated 19 percent very short, 48 percent short, and 33 percent adequate. The entire report can be read here: TN Crop Weather 09_13_2019. The latest National Crop Progress report can be viewed here as well:  US Crop Progress 09_13_2019.

DRY WEATHER CAUSES CONCERN

Corn harvest was in full swing with producers generally reporting good yields. However, soybean growers, particularly those with late-planted beans, were concerned about the effects of the recent hot, dry weather. Baling of hay continued to be a major activity due to near perfect harvesting conditions. Hemp growers noted some disease pressure, but this did not appear to be affecting yields. Pasture conditions deteriorated rapidly as soil moisture decreased, causing worries among livestock producers. There were 6.9 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 11 percent very short, 41 percent short, 47 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 9 percent very short, 36 percent short, and 55 percent adequate. You can read the entire report here: TN Crop Weather 09_09_2019. You can also read the latest USDA national crop progress report here:  US Crop Progress 09_09_2019.

CORN, TOBACCO, HEMP HARVEST BEGINS

Producers who have dryer capabilities started harvesting corn last week, with good yields reported. Additionally, tobacco harvest is underway, as is hemp harvest. Hay baling was the predominant activity last week. Other field activities included spraying for insects. Hard rains hit some areas of the state but only halted field activities temporarily. There were 6.0 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 18 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 20 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. You can read the entire report at: TN Crop Weather 09_03_2019. You can also read the latest USDA Crop Condition report at: US Crop Progress 09_03_2019.

CORN PRODUCERS PREPARE FOR HARVEST

Hot, dry weather prevailed over most of the state, providing ample opportunities for fieldwork. Corn producers were busy preparing for harvest with some expected to begin harvesting as early as this week. Soybean and cotton growers sprayed for insects and applied fungicides. Hay baling continued to be a major activity with farmers working on their second and third cuttings. Despite the heat, pastures and cattle looked good for this time of year. There were 6.4 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 4 percent very short, 27 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 3 percent very short, 26 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. The entire report can be read here: TN Crop Weather 08_19_2019. The USDA also released the latest national crop progress report as well. It can be viewed here: US Crop Progress 08_19_2019.

The USDA released the lastest crop production forecast for Tennessee.  Corn production in Tennessee was forecast at 160 million bushels, up 38 percent from the previous crop. Yield was estimated at 174 bushels per acre, up 4 bushels from the 2018 level. If realized, this would be the highest corn yield on record. Soybean production for Tennessee was forecast at 73.5 million bushels, decreased 4 percent from 2018. Yield was estimated at 50.0 bushels per acre, up 4.0 bushels from a year ago. If realized, this would tie the highest soybean yield on record. Tennessee farmers expect to harvest 14.9 million bushels of winter wheat during 2019. The expected crop for 2019 would be down 20 percent from the previous year.
Tennessee cotton production is projected to be 940,000 bales, up 22 percent from last year. Cotton yields are forecast to average 1,128 pounds per acre, up 87 pounds per acre from the previous year. Producers expect to harvest 400,000 acres, up 45,000 acres from 2018. The entire report can be read here: Crop Production Forecast for TN 2019.