As reported by NASS on June 10, 2013
FIELD WORK DELAYS RETURN
Farmers maximized their time in the fields this past week, with only about 3.5 days suitable for field work. Continued wet conditions led to flooding in some low lying areas last week. The wheat crop continued to be rated in mostly good-to-excellent condition, but the high winds from this past week’s storms caused some lodging. Wheat harvest hasn’t started yet. Continue reading
I’m not overly concerned, but this and last week’s moth traps (see Quick Links) are showing increased numbers of corn earworm and southwestern corn borer moths being caught in pheromone traps. Continue reading
I’m setting near record level numbers of thrips in test plots at Jackson and Milan, and reports from the field are similar. Unfortunately this means most of our cotton will require a foliar thrips application. Please refer to Continue reading
I know this has been a frustrating planting season to say the least. Replanting has been more the rule than the exception this spring. There have been reports of fields that were first planted to corn then replanted to cotton and now will likely be replanted to soybean. With all the troubles planting and replanting this spring please do not forget to manage Palmer amaranth or you may have to replant yet again just to control the pigweed. These June weather conditions are shaping up to be a perfect Palmer amaranth storm! Continue reading
As reported by NASS on June 3, 2013
CORN PLANTING FINALLY ABOUT WRAPPED-UP
With corn planting about completed, growers shifted their focus last week to other farm activities such as soybean and cotton planting, hay harvest, and tobacco transplanting. The 6 days suitable for field work this past week allowed growers to make tremendous progress in all endeavors. Continue reading
There have been a number of calls after the heavy rain event (>3” for a large area of West TN) Friday and Saturday (May 31 and June 1) about whether to try to replant cotton late or perhaps switch crops and replant back to soybean. Continue reading
I’ve only had two calls, both from adjacent farms, about sugarcane beetles in corn, but they were “impressive” infestations. The fields were near Ripley and were first year corn behind pasture. This is a favorite scenario for problems with sugarcane beetles and Continue reading
The thrips calls have begun now that some cotton is starting to put out a true leaf. There are reports of multiple thrips per plant from several individuals, and I am expecting a spike in the action that often comes near the end of May. Continue reading