As reported by NASS on July 9, 2012

SCATTERED SHOWERS PROVIDE A LITTLE RELIEF.  A slight break from record setting temperatures came at weeks’ end and was due to several rounds of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Soil moisture levels are still extremely short and more rain will be needed for crops and pastures to rebound from the prolonged drought conditions. Crop conditions continued to decline last week. Pastures have been the hardest hit by the high temps and short moisture supplies with three quarters of the acreage rated in very poor-to-poor condition. Continue reading →

As reported by NASS on July 2, 2012

OPPRESSIVE HEAT AND BRUTALLY DRY CONDITIONS

CONTINUE TO STRIKE TENNESSEE FARMLAND

The hottest temperatures on record coupled with no precipitation last week led to a deterioration of crop conditions throughout the state. Topsoil moisture supplies are rated short or very short on 94 percent of Tennessee farmland. The corn and pasture acreages are especially affected, as almost half the corn is rated in very poor or poor condition with two-thirds of the pastures in this same category. Soybean, tobacco, and cotton acreage remained in mostly fair-to-good condition but declined substantially in one week. Pastures are parched and livestock producers are feeding hay, an event that normally begins in the fall. Continue reading →