As reported by NASS of June 2, 2014
Scattered Showers Hinder Planting
Scattered showers brought needed moisture, but caused delays in cotton and soybean planting. While some areas were reporting dry conditions, overall crop condition was mostly good to excellent. The daily threat of rain kept hay producers from the fields in most areas. A few wheat producers reported problems with head scab. Continue reading at Crop Progress 6 1 14
Governor Haslam signed a bill into law (SB2495) that takes effect July 1, starting the process to allow private farms to legally grow hemp in Tennessee once regulatory details have been worked out. It is not clear at this point where the market opportunities would be for locally produced industrial hemp. Continue reading
Corn planting has wrapped up for most folks across the state. Late planted corn did well in an unusually wet year such as 2013, but is very risky in most years unless irrigation can be provided. Continue reading
Wheat in Tennessee has entered the ripening stage (Feekes 11 – kernel development) and symptoms of Head Scab can be seen in some fields. Continue reading
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Tyson Raper has accepted the Cotton and Small Grains specialist position with UT and will be on board as of June 23rd. Tyson is completing last minute details on his PhD in plant physiology at the University of Arkansas where he specialized in cotton. We look forward to having him join the faculty, crew and staff here at the West TN Research and Education Center in Jackson.
This is now a critical time for Palmer amaranth control in soybean and cotton. Judging by rating our pre applied herbicide performance in those crops as well as calls from folks walking fields it is very apparent that pigweed is starting to break through. Continue reading
As reported by NASS on May 27, 2014
CORN PLANTING WRAPPING UP; COTTON AND SOYBEAN PLANTING ACTIVE
Dry, windy weather last week enabled producers to nearly finish planting corn and make substantial progress on cotton and soybean planting. While some cool nights hampered crop development, overall crop condition flourished. Continue reading at Crop Progress 5 25 14
The UT Cotton Scout School will be held this Friday (May 30th) in Room A at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center (605 Airways Blvd., Jackson). Registration will be from 8:00 – 8:30 AM with the formal program concluding at noon with a box lunch. Those wishing to stay can attend a go-to-the-field session after lunch. Preregistration is not required. Topics covered will include cotton growth and development and general pest management (insects, weeds and diseases).