I received a request from Dr. Marty Draper (NIFA, National Program Leader, Divisions of Plant Systems). He was asked to help get the word out about concerns for moving fire ants from quarantine areas in hay that is being sold into drought stricken areas of the country that may be vulnerable to fire ant establishment, Continue reading
As reported by NASS on September 10, 2012
TOPSOIL MOISTURE SUPPLIES GREATLY IMPROVED
Plentiful rain fell across the state last week benefitting crops and boosting soil moisture supplies. The condition of cotton, soybeans, and tobacco crops improved and were rated in mostly good condition. Corn harvest continued at a rapid pace two weeks ahead of normal. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on September 4, 2012
HURRICANE REMNANTS BOOST SOIL MOISTURE SUPPLIES
The remnants of Hurricane Isaac dropped significant rainfall in many areas last week which boosted soil moisture supplies. The effects of this rainfall are likely to improve soil moisture ratings as well as cotton, soybean and pasture conditions in these areas. At week’s end it was too early to fully measure the impact. Crops remained in mostly fair-to-good condition. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on August 27, 2012
SOYBEANS AND COTTON COULD USE A RAIN. The weather is turning seasonally dry as some concerns are being expressed in major cotton and soybean areas about proper development. However, at week’s end, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 57 percent adequate or surplus, a level much better than the 29 percent five year average and last year’s 44 percent. A good general rain throughout the state is needed to maintain or improve the cotton and soybean crops from their current standing of fair-to-good condition. The corn for grain harvest picked-up momentum and was proceeding at a pace just shy of two weeks ahead of normal. Pastures look good, but armyworms are reported to be a problem. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on August 20, 2012
CORN, HAY, AND TOBACCO HARVEST MAIN FARM ACTIVITIES
Farmers continued harvesting hay and topping tobacco last week between showers and stepped-up their efforts at corn harvest. Activities in the tobacco fields were delayed slightly by rainfall. The crops, except corn, continued to be rated in fair to good condition. The cotton crop is opening and early planted soybeans are beginning to shed leaves. The corn crop is maturing rapidly. Pastures look good for this time of the year but with some reports of weeds. Continue reading
Another bug identification quiz for you. These are the eggs of a predator which is sometimes mistaken for a pest. This species lays its eggs in a cluster. A crown of spines around the top of each egg is a good hint. Both the nymphs and adults will attack may different kinds of prey, but they are commonly seen feeding on caterpillars. They are often found in soybean and cotton. The scientific name for this species is Podisus maculiventris (Order Hemiptera; Family Pentatomidae). Still don’t know? Continue reading
EARLY CORN HARVEST UNDERWAY ON LIMITED BASIS
Corn for grain harvest has begun and roughly a third of the corn crop is physiologically mature. Except for corn, all crops remain in fair-to-good condition. A few parts of the state, especially West Tennessee still need a soaking rain. Soybeans have begun to drop leaves but most of the crop is blooming and setting pods. Even though dry conditions have persevered in some areas of the state, pastures continued to green-up and rebound. Continue reading
TOBACCO HARVEST BEGINS
A relatively short dry spell came to a relieving end as scattered showers hit the state at weeks’ end. Pasture conditions continued to slowly improve, and all crops except corn remain mostly in the good category. Cattle are rated exceptionally good as only 9 percent are rated in the very poor-to-poor range. Tobacco harvest is underway as two-thirds of Tennessee’s tobacco has now been topped. Continue reading