Through rains and light snow during the week, some producers were able to finish harvesting their crops, while others may not finish until after Thanksgiving. Cooler temperatures have led to feeding cattle more hay. Some pastures are holding water or experiencing hard freezes, negatively affecting condition. Continue reading at Crop Progress 11 23 14 .
As reported by NASS on November 17, 2014
CORN HARVEST WINDS DOWN
Despite showers midweek in advance of a cold front, farmers managed to make good progress harvesting corn, cotton and soybeans. Drastically cooler temperatures affected the emergence of newly planted wheat and caused some livestock producers to start feeding hay. There were 4.9 days suitable for field work. Continue reading at Crop Progress 11 16 14 .
As reported by NASS on November 10, 2014
RAIN SLOWS CROP HARVEST, AIDS NEWLY SEEDED PASTURES
Between rains, producers made progress with planting and harvesting crops in the 4.1 days suitable for field work. Even though rains kept producers out of their fields, the rains were beneficial to pastures, which are in mostly good condition. Topsoil moisture was 6 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Continue reading at Crop Progress 11 9 14 .
November Tennessee Crop Production Forecast
Corn production in Tennessee is forecast at 135 million bushels, up 3 percent from the October forecast and up 6 percent from the previous crop. Yield was estimated at 165 bushels per acre, up 5 bushels from last month and up 9 bushels from the 2013 level. Acres for harvest as grain were estimated at 820 thousand acres, unchanged from 2013. The U.S. corn production is forecast at 14.4 billion bushels, down slightly from the October forecast, but up 3 percent from 2013. Based on conditions as of November 1, yields are expected to average 173.4 bushels per acre, down 0.8 bushels from last month but up 14.6 bushels from 2013. Continue reading at November TN Crop Production .
As reported by NASS on November 3, 2014
PRODUCERS CONTINUE TO PLANT, HARVEST; SNOWFALL HITS PARTS OF STATE
In the 4.4 days suitable for field work, producers made progress planting spring crops and harvesting fall crops. Crop yields are still strong and cattle and pastures look good. East Tennessee had its earliest measurable snowfall since 1925. Topsoil moisture was 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were 2 percent very short, 10 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Continue reading at Crop Progress 11 2 14.
As reported by NASS on October 27, 2014
WEEK’S WEATHER GREAT FOR CROP HARVEST AND WINTER WHEAT SEEDING
A break in the weather provided producers 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork. During this reprieve, producers harvested as much corn, cotton, and soybeans as they could, and seeded winter wheat. Harvest of each crop and seeding of winter wheat progressed to averages above last year and fell more in line with 5-year averages. Continue reading at Crop Progress 10 26 14 .
There has been a recent furor about the value of neonicotinoid insecticides such as Cruiser and Gaucho in soybean. This stems from a recent “benefits assessment” released by the EPA (http://www2.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/benefits-neonicotinoid-seed-treatments-soybean-production). This is the first step towards the banning of neonicotinoid seed treatments in soybean, mostly stemming from concerns about how these treatments affect pollinators. My response below in rather lengthy, but I wanted to get on the public record. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on October 20, 2014
RAINS HALT FIELD ACTIVITIES
Heavy rains brought most field work to a halt last week. While the rains had cleared out by Thursday, they left many fields too wet to work. As a result, there were only 2.3 days suitable for field work last week. The added moisture brought improvements to pasture condition. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 28 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent very short, 9 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus. Continue reading at Crop Progress 10 19 14 .