As reported by NASS on September 29, 2014
PASTURES IN NEED OF RAIN
Dry weather stressed pastures across most of the State. A good general rain is needed for their revitalization and also to provide needed moisture for fall planted crops. The lack of rain did allow row crop producers to bring progress closer to the 5-year averages. There were 6.6 days suitable for field work last week. Continue reading at Crop Progress 9 28 14.
As reported by NASS on September 22, 2014
PRODUCERS FACE WEATER CHALLENGES, WINTER WHEAT PLANTING, COTTON HARVEST BEGINS
As weather permitted, producers actively harvested spring planted crops. Some excellent corn yields were reported. A small amount of winter wheat has been seeded and cotton harvested. Cotton defoliation was delayed due to cool, cloudy weather. There were 5.7 days suitable for field work last week. Continue reading at Crop Progress 9 21 14 .
I’m not sure what a bug thinks, but I don’t think they are deep thinkers. We have that in common, but at least I know we’ve pretty much wrapped up this season in terms of insect control. Below are the last few reminders as we close out this year’s crop. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on September 15, 2014
CORN, SOYBEAN HARVEST CONTINUES, THEN STALLED BY RAIN
Producers continued their harvest of corn, early soybeans, and milo but rain hindered progress late in the week. Though reminiscent of the wet weather that slowed plantings, these rains benefitted late soybeans and pasture. As of September 1, record corn yield and production for the State was forecast. There were reports of armyworms in Bermuda grass and disease in tobacco. Continue reading at Crop Progress 9 14 14.
Actually, that’s an egg. In fact, it’s the egg of another insect and basically, that stink bug is doomed to an untimely and gruesome death. That egg is from a Tachinid fly (picture below). Continue reading
I needed a quick way to view and download weather data from several counties, to determine accumulated heat units for many different planting dates and crops, and to compare against the 30-yr averages for making predictions and crop management decisions. So, I developed a web-based tool with that express purpose. Just point your browser or click-on http://weather.utcrops.com and the rest should be self-explanatory. There is also a Quick Link to this site on the left menu. If you are only interested in counties in Tennessee, you can click on Continue reading
NASS News Release
Crop prospects as of September 1 improved for most crops in Tennessee from August 1 forecast according to the Tennessee Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall received in August improved crop conditions for most producers, depending on the stage of crops. The soybean crop is projected to be a record. Continue reading at SepCrop14_TN.
Cotton: Making insecticide applications for cotton insects at this late date is not recommended, and most folks have rightly “walked away” from fields and turned their attention to corn and soybean harvest. It is now 25 or more days past the last effective bloom Continue reading