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
The USDA estimates that there was 260,000 acres of cotton planted in Tennessee this year. We have been asked if we agree with that number. I believe that estimate is high. Even if it is accurate we will not harvest near that number. 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
This large wheat crop is taking a lot of time and labor this summer. This is both good and bad. The good news is the wheat is yielding very well which comes at a good time to get some bills paid. The bad news is that it is very slow going as much of it is laying down and the great yields take quite a bit of labor to get it to the granary. All this time and labor devoted to the wheat harvest has delayed herbicide applications in cotton and early planted soybeans. Continue reading
Early Growth Regulator Applications: I’ve touched on this in a previous news article. Most “Pix” applications should be made at or before early bloom. In many fields we can get by with 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 long agonizing cotton planting season has come to a close. I have heard that a few folks were spot planting some wet spots this week. This May 50th planted cotton I hope will not turn into as one consultant said an “expensive cover crop”. At the very least it should help compete with weeds in those areas. Continue reading
I have seen snails, primarily on cotton, many times is my career. My standard line has been that “snails do not cause economic damage”. However, I’ve seen Continue reading