Over the past month, I’ve received several images of sulfur deficiencies in cotton.  While we are quickly approaching a point in which a sulfur fertilizer application will be unable to impact yield in 2019, understanding what a sulfur deficiency looks like may help identify areas which will likely respond to the nutrient during the 2020 season.  This blog covers the characteristics of a sulfur deficiency, presents atmospheric deposition data, and highlights current UT recommendations for the nutrient in cotton production. Continue reading →

An update on soybean disease scouting from Dr. Heather Kelly. Watch to the end for info on Soybean Disease Field Day.

The calendar says late July, but the chill on the wind this morning made it seem like we had to be deep enough into the football schedule for a solid SEC football match-up on Saturday.  This blog covers a few points concerning cotton growth under mid-season daytime and nighttime temperatures between 85 and 65 following excessive rainfall. Continue reading →

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.