As reported by NASS on May 18, 2015
RAINS NOW HOPED FOR
The rains that kept producers out of the fields for weeks would now be welcome as soil starts to dry out. A good general shower would help with crop development. The dry weather did allow corn producers to come within 7 points of getting their entire crop planted. Winter wheat is in mostly in good to excellent condition. Continue reading at Crop Progress 5 18 15.
Tennessee farmers expect to harvest 28.3 million bushels of winter wheat during 2015 according to the Tennessee Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The expected crop for 2015 would be down 10 percent from the previous year. Farmers seeded 470,000 acres last fall with 410,000 acres to be harvested for grain. Based on crop conditions as of May 1 and assuming a normal growing season, farmers expect a yield of 69.0 bushels per acre, up 3.0 bushels from 2014. Continue reading at USDA TN NASS News release May 12, 2015.
As reported by NASS on May 11, 2015
PLANTING PROGRESS MAKES HUGE STRIDES
Weather this past week brought producers great relief in the ability to get their crops in the ground. Corn planting surpassed the 5-year average while soybeans and cotton both made great planting progress. Producers continued to cut hay. There were 6.7 days suitable for field work last week. Continue reading at Crop Progress 5 11 15.
As reported by NASS on May 4, 2015
DRIER CONDITIONS ALLOW FARMERS BACK INTO FIELDS
A mostly rain-free week allowed fields to dry out to the point that field work could resume all across the state. Corn farmers made great strides in planting and some early crop soybeans were also planted. Hay producers began the first cutting of hay. Continue reading at Crop Progress 5 4 15.
As the rain in the forecast has diminished so has the risk for Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) in Tennessee wheat. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on April 27, 2015
CORN PLANTING FINALLY RESTARTS, SOME SOYBEANS AND COTTON PLANTED
At last, weather conditions improved slightly and allowed some fields to dry out enough that corn planting could start again. There were some fields that were still too muddy to plant but producers made as much progress as possible. Some soybeans and cotton were planted, in line with normal averages. There were 2.8 days suitable for field work last week. Topsoil moisture was 56 percent adequate and 44 percent surplus. Continue reading at Crop Progress 4 26 15.
So far little disease has been noted in Tennessee, but with the warmer and continuing wet weather that can change. Such weather can particularly lead to high risk for Fursarium Head Blight (FHB or Head Scab) infection. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on April 20, 2015
CORN PLANTING PRACTICALLY AT A STANDSTILL
Corn producers suffered another week of wet weather that prevented them from planting corn. The crop is only 6 percent planted compared to a five-year average of 43 percent. Strawberry season is running behind normal because of the cold winter followed by persistent rains. Strawberries, normally available at the end of April, are about 2 weeks behind. There were only 1.1 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was 42 percent adequate and 58 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were 59 percent adequate, and 41 percent surplus. Continue reading at Crop Progress 4 19 15.