POP-UP SHOWERS DO LITTLE TO HINDER FIELDWORK

Hay baling was the dominant activity across the state last week with pop-up showers doing little to slow the second or third cuttings of hay. Other activities included spraying of fungicides on soybeans and the topping of tobacco. Pastures continued to look good due to the rainfall received over the past few months, but the elevated heat and humidity seen by most of the state placed a great deal of stress on livestock. There were 5.0 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 14 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 13 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus. You can read the entire report here: TN Crop Weather 08_12_19. The USDA also realeased an updated crop condition report that can be viewed here: US Crop Progress 08_12_2019.

SCATTERED RAIN AND THUNDERSHOWERS SLOW HAY HARVEST

Remnants of Hurricane turned Tropical Storm Barry brought rain and thunderstorms to the State, especially West Tennessee. The rains were slow to or did not run-off bottom land but improved conditions of crops planted on higher ground. Though the hay crop is ready for another cutting, rains kept producers out of the field waiting for more favorable conditions. Crop spraying occurred as weather permitted. Some tobacco was topped and sucker control applied. The rain, combined with sometimes oppressive heat, helped pastures but
kept cattle in search of shaded areas. There were only 3.8 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 21 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus.  You can read the entire Tennessee Crop Weather report at: TN Crop Weather 07_22_19. You can also read the latest national crop progress report at: US Crop Progress 07_22_2019.

RAIN DELAYS CROP HARVEST, PLANTING; IMPROVES CROP CONDITIONS

The rain shortened week delayed the end of winter wheat harvest and thus double-crop soybean planting. Tobacco and hemp producers made some headway on setting their crops between rains. Limited field activities included applications of weed controls and nitrogen, and 2nd cuttings of hay. The persistent rains are positively affecting crops and pastures and heading off heat stress. Vegetables in the eastern part of the state have little to no insect pressure. There were 4.5 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 8 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 11 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus. Hay and roughage supplies were rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus. You can continue reading the entire report here:  TN Crop Weather 07_01_19. You can also view the latest U.S. crop condition report here: US Crop Progress 07_01_2019.

HOT, DRY WEATHER PREVAILS

Hot, dry conditions dominated most of the state allowing farmers to make significant progress planting corn, cotton and soybeans. These same conditions also placed stress on emerging crops and had some wishing for timely rains. Harvest of first-cutting hay continued to be a major activity as producers took advantage of excellent baling conditions. There were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture rated 8 percent very short, 31 percent short, 57 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. You can continue reading the Tennessee Crop Weather report at TN Crop Weather 06_03_19. Also, the U.S. crop progress report can be reviewed at US Crop Progress 06_03_2019.

FARMERS MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES

Hot, dry conditions allowed farmers to make excellent progress planting corn, cotton and soybeans. Corn farmers continued to side-dress nitrogen. The harvest of first-cutting hay was in full swing with substantial acreage being cut in preparation for baling over the holiday weekend. Higher than normal temperatures have placed a lot of stress on livestock. There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture rated 2 percent very short, 19 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus. You can read the rest of the Tennessee Crop Weather report at TN Crop Weather 05_28_19. Also, you can view the U.S. crop progress report at US Crop Progress 05_28_2019. You will notice that corn acreage is far behind the 5 year average for most of the Midwest.  This may have an impact on new crop corn prices.

Corn, cotton, soybeans, and wheat were up for the week. You can continue reading the weekly Tennessee market highlights at Tennessee Market Highlights 5_24_2019.