As reported by NASS on July 1, 2013
2013 CROPS IN GOOD SHAPE COMING INTO JULY
This past week was a peculiar one in regards to weather conditions, marked by spotted showers across the state. On average, farmers had five-and-a-half days suitable for field activity. Many farmers were active harvesting the wheat crop, with harvest jumping 39 percent from the previous week. Heavy wheat stands led to thick stubble which had to be burned in order for soybeans to be planted. Continue reading
Bollworm (a.k.a. corn earworm) moth traps are not real high but certainly higher than last year, and we have been catching moths for several weeks. I suspect we will not have much difficulty Continue reading
As reported by NASS on June 24, 2013
WHEAT HARVEST FINALLY BEGAN
Farmers took advantage of good weather conditions across the state last week and finally began to harvest the wheat crop. Even with 11 percent of the wheat crop being harvested this past week, harvest is still about two weeks behind the five year average. The wheat conditions have been good throughout the spring, but lodging has caused some yield issues. Continue reading
The phone has begun to ring now that Japanese beetles are out and about and we also have corn beginning to tassel. Japanese beetles will feed on corn leaves but are particularly attracted to silks. Leaf feeding is of little concern, but silk feeding draws a lot of attention. It is not uncommon to see a covey of 4-10 beetles on one ear, particularly on field edges. Naturally, this causes worries about whether this feeding reduces pollination. The answer is … it depends. Continue reading
It is a common practice to spray an insecticide on field corn during early tasseling when making a fungicide application. I often get no answer when I ask a grower what pest he is spraying. Just as commonly I’m told they are trying to control corn earworm, Japanese beetles or corn borers. This application is often made Continue reading
With the earliest planted corn in Tennessee tasseling, corn should be scouted for diseases which are key factors when considering fungicide application Continue reading
As reported by NASS on June 17, 2013
WHEAT HARVEST FINALLY BEGAN
Farmers took advantage of good weather conditions across the state last week and finally began to harvest the wheat crop. Even with 11 percent of the wheat crop being harvested this past week, harvest is still about two weeks behind the five year average. The wheat conditions have been good throughout the spring, but lodging has caused some yield issues. Farmers were also busy switching over from corn to soybeans in fields that had been flooded and needed to be replanted. Continue reading
After a very wet spring, many of us have been experiencing high temperatures and a break in rainfall. Although we are busy harvesting wheat and planting wheat-beans, it is time to consider irrigating Continue reading