INCESSENT RAINS IMPROVE CROP CONDITIONS BUT HINDER FIELD WORK
Constant rains, while improving crop conditions, have prevented producers from finishing their planned planting of soybeans and cotton, and has strongly hindered hay harvest, especially in West and Middle Tennessee where rainfall has averaged almost 25 inches and over 30 inches in some areas since January 1, 2015. Continue reading at Crop Progress 6 1 15.
Corn and wheat were down; cotton was up; and soybeans were mixed for the week. September corn and November soybeans established new contract lows this week. For the month of May: September corn decreased 15 ½ cents ($3.72 ¾ to $3.57 ¼); November soybeans decreased 46 ¾ cents ($9.52 ½ to $9.05 ¾); July wheat increased 1 cent ($4.76 to $4.77); and December cotton decreased 2 cents (66.64 to 64.64 cents). Corn and soybeans moved lower this month due to larger estimated global and domestic ending stocks, excellent planting and growing conditions year-to-date, a stronger US dollar, and a record South American harvest. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights.
Our weed control in grain sorghum this spring ranges from fields that are in pretty good shape to quite a few fields that are absolute grassy weed messes. There have been a number of calls from folks wanting to rescue some of these grain sorghum fields from this grass. Continue reading
Until the last week, thrips infestations in cotton have been relatively mild. There is no question we are now beginning to see a peak in thrips numbers. It is common in Tennessee for this to occur in late May or the first week of June. Cotton at the 1st and 2nd Continue reading
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds all producers in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, including fruit, vegetable, and nursery producers that they need to have their Highly Erodible Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) on file with their local USDA Service Center by June 1, 2015. Continue reading at June 1 2015 USDA deadline.
To keep or replant, that is the question-
Heavy rains immediately following planting have forced many to consider this age-old question. Although this is not new territory for many, there are a few points that should be kept in mind when deciding which action (if any) should be taken.
Dry weather held on long enough to allow some producers to finish planting their field crops and harvest their first cutting of hay; however, the rains have returned and been beneficial to some crops while catching some producers with hay on the ground and some acreage still to be planted. Greenhouse tomatoes are being harvested and showing little to no insects or diseases. There were 3.4 days suitable for field work last week. Continue reading at Crop Progress 5 26 15.
It will not be surprising to hear reports on cotton burn from herbicide tankmixes over the next week or so for two reasons. Continue reading
