Tennessee Crop Weather
Week Ending Date
May 18, 2008
Agricultural Summary
Most field activities were limited last week due to scattered showers and
thunderstorms across Tennessee. Planting progress for most crops
continues to lag behind last year and the five-year average. With almost
one-fourth of their acreage planted, cotton producers were 10 days behind
the five-year average, while soybean farmers lagged one week behind the
normal schedule. Tobacco transplanting and hay harvest continued on a
limited basis, both slightly behind the 5-year average. The winter wheat
crop continues to be rated in mostly good-to-excellent condition with a
few fields beginning to turn color. Other field activities taking place
last week, as weather allowed, included spreading fertilizer, spraying
pesticides, and picking strawberries.
There were 3 days considered suitable for fieldwork last week. As of
Friday, topsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent short, 70 percent
adequate, and 27 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 2
percent very short, 11 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 17 percent
surplus. Temperatures across the State were below normal last week, as was
precipitation.
County Agent Comments
"Rainy and cool weather continues to plague and halt cotton and soybean
planting. Wheat continues to progress well. Diseases are present and poised
to affect yields depending upon weather conditions the rest of May. However,
many acres have been sprayed with a fungicide which is a plus to ward off
disease progress. Cotton planting timing is rapidly reaching a critical
stage where producers need to be getting cotton planted."
Tim Campbell, Dyer County
"Continued wet, cloudy weather allowed few opportunities for field work
this week. Producers are looking for warmer/drier conditions next week to
complete corn planting and start soybean planting. Some herbicide
applications went out this past week and side-dressed nitrogen fertilizer
applications were able to be made."
Jeff Lannom, Weakley County
"Hay harvest took an upturn this weekend in hopes of catching a few days
of drying time in between threat of rain. Some river bottoms will have
some late planted corn."
Troy Dugger, Hickman County
"The wet weather has made some people anxious about setting tobacco and
they are behind schedule. Several people have tobacco plants ready to set
and it is too wet for ground preparation. Pastures and hay are coming
along but with the hay that has been harvested; the yield is down due to
last year's drought."
Jason Evitts, Trousdale County
"The wheat crop has started to change color. Some weed issues such as
vetch, thistle, etc. has shown up in some fields of wheat. Wet weather has
delayed some field work but corn planting is nearing completion. Hay
harvest of tall fescue has been delayed. Those producers with bermuda hay
fields are seeing some good growth despite cool temperatures."
Matt Webb, Marion County
Weather Summary For USDA, NASS, Tennessee Field Office
Prepared By AWIS.com from NWS preliminary data
For more weather information visit www.awis.com
or call 1-888-798-9955.
Copyright 2008: Agricultural Weather Information Service, Inc.
All rights reserved.
More information contact: Debra K. Kenerson; State Director 615-781-5300
Week Ending Date
May 18, 2008
Agricultural Summary
Most field activities were limited last week due to scattered showers and
thunderstorms across Tennessee. Planting progress for most crops
continues to lag behind last year and the five-year average. With almost
one-fourth of their acreage planted, cotton producers were 10 days behind
the five-year average, while soybean farmers lagged one week behind the
normal schedule. Tobacco transplanting and hay harvest continued on a
limited basis, both slightly behind the 5-year average. The winter wheat
crop continues to be rated in mostly good-to-excellent condition with a
few fields beginning to turn color. Other field activities taking place
last week, as weather allowed, included spreading fertilizer, spraying
pesticides, and picking strawberries.
There were 3 days considered suitable for fieldwork last week. As of
Friday, topsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent short, 70 percent
adequate, and 27 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 2
percent very short, 11 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 17 percent
surplus. Temperatures across the State were below normal last week, as was
precipitation.
County Agent Comments
"Rainy and cool weather continues to plague and halt cotton and soybean
planting. Wheat continues to progress well. Diseases are present and poised
to affect yields depending upon weather conditions the rest of May. However,
many acres have been sprayed with a fungicide which is a plus to ward off
disease progress. Cotton planting timing is rapidly reaching a critical
stage where producers need to be getting cotton planted."
Tim Campbell, Dyer County
"Continued wet, cloudy weather allowed few opportunities for field work
this week. Producers are looking for warmer/drier conditions next week to
complete corn planting and start soybean planting. Some herbicide
applications went out this past week and side-dressed nitrogen fertilizer
applications were able to be made."
Jeff Lannom, Weakley County
"Hay harvest took an upturn this weekend in hopes of catching a few days
of drying time in between threat of rain. Some river bottoms will have
some late planted corn."
Troy Dugger, Hickman County
"The wet weather has made some people anxious about setting tobacco and
they are behind schedule. Several people have tobacco plants ready to set
and it is too wet for ground preparation. Pastures and hay are coming
along but with the hay that has been harvested; the yield is down due to
last year's drought."
Jason Evitts, Trousdale County
"The wheat crop has started to change color. Some weed issues such as
vetch, thistle, etc. has shown up in some fields of wheat. Wet weather has
delayed some field work but corn planting is nearing completion. Hay
harvest of tall fescue has been delayed. Those producers with bermuda hay
fields are seeing some good growth despite cool temperatures."
Matt Webb, Marion County
Weather Summary For USDA, NASS, Tennessee Field Office
Prepared By AWIS.com from NWS preliminary data
For more weather information visit www.awis.com
or call 1-888-798-9955.
Copyright 2008: Agricultural Weather Information Service, Inc.
All rights reserved.
More information contact: Debra K. Kenerson; State Director 615-781-5300
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