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.
Corn production for 2014/15 is forecast 363 million bushels higher at a record 14,395 million bushels. The corn yield forecast is raised 4.3 bushels per acre to a record 171.7 bushels. Corn supplies for 2014/15 are projected at 15,607 million bushels, up 826 million bushels from the previous record in 2013/14. Total 2014/15 corn usage is projected at 13,605 million bushels, up 170 million from last month. Continue reading Dr. Aaron Smith’s comments at USDA Supply & Demand Estimates and Profitability Outlook.
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
The silver-spotted skipper, Epargyreus clarus, is a butterfly (pictured below) in the insect family Hesperiidae. It is one of the largest, most widespread and commonly recognized skippers in North America. The wing span of an adult may reach 2.4 inches. Wings are brownish-colored with a median row of yellowish-gold spots on the forewings and a large, median, irregular-shaped patch of white on the hind wings. Wing fringes are dashed with white. Antennae are hook-tipped. Skippers are well known for their rapid, Continue reading
As reported by NASS on September 8, 2014
FARMERS BATTLE ARMYWORMS
Farmers in West and Middle Tennessee reported higher populations of armyworms. For the most part, the damage caused by these pests has been confined to pasture and hay fields, with some reports of armyworms in soybeans. Corn and early soybean harvests continued between rains. Wetter conditions also delayed hay and tobacco harvest. There were 4.7 days suitable for field work. Continue reading at Crop Progress 9 7 14.
Corn, soybeans, cotton, and wheat were down for the week. Harvest corn and soybean futures made moves lower this week. November soybeans es-tablished a new low of $10.01 before rebounding on Friday to $10.21. De-cember corn also set new contract lows at $3.43. Record production for corn and soybeans continues to become a more apparent reality with each pass-ing week. Frost concerns will continue to be prevalent in northern production areas particularly for late planted soybeans in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Producers should be looking at any rallies in corn and soybean futures markets as opportunities to price additional production. Continue reading at Tennessee Market Highlights .
Fall armyworms attack a wide range of grasses and other crops. Outbreaks have been reported on soybeans, sorghum, pastures and several other crops for over a month. We are having a biblical year with fall armyworm, especially in pastures and lawns. However, many are also wandering into the edges of soybean fields. My colleague, Dr. Frank Hale, recently sent the following information. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on September 2, 2014
CORN HARVEST BEGINS
Mostly dry conditions allowed corn producers to begin harvesting with early yields looking favorable. Soybean and cotton farmers took advantage of the dry weather to finish up spraying for pests. Higher temperatures allowed cotton to catch up to more normal development levels. Continue reading at Crop Progress 8 31 14.