Tennessee’s wheat crop has taken a lickin’ but keeps on tickin’, according to reports from state and federal agriculture officials.
The winter wheat crop in Tennessee is expected to be down to just over 10 million bushels, a 42-percent decrease from last year, according to a survey by the Tennessee NASS office at the beginning of May. The crop, rated in fair-to-good condition, saw three-fourths of it headed by May 9, which is slightly behind the normal pace.

Officials blame flooding, rains and reduced seeding last fall for the deficit.

According to a report on May 1 comparing winter wheat forecasts to last year’s actual harvest, in 2010 there were 180,000 acres of harvested winter wheat. That number is down from the 380,000 acres planted in 2009.

The state’s average yield is expected to be 56 bushels per acre, up five bushels from a year earlier. Tennessee farmers seeded almost 300,000 acres last fall, down 33 percent from the previous year. Wheat producers expect to harvest 180,000 acres for grain, 160,000 less than a year ago. The remaining 110,000 acres were used as a cover crop and will be harvested for hay or silage, according to a report by the NASS.

Corn is faring better in the Volunteer State. By the middle of May, farmers in Tennessee had planted 92 percent of the corn crop, up 10 percent from the week before and up 3 percent from the same time last year. Of the emerged corn crop, 84 percent had emerged by the middle of the month, a 10-percent increase over the previous week and an 18 percent increase over the same time in 2009.

Soybean crops are coming along slowly, compared to corn, in Tennessee. Mid-May saw 19 percent of the crop planted, up 9 percent over the previous week and up 12 percent over the same time period in 2009. The emerged soybean crop is 6 percent. There were no emerged soybean crops in Tennessee the previous week nor during the same time period of the previous year, according to NASS.

By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent

Kentucky

The rain has been replaced by summer-like weather but not before planting was slowed one more time.

The latest Kentucky NASS office information issued on May 24 reported corn planting was almost finished with “96 percent of intended acreage planted, up 25 percent from last year, and up 8 percent from the five-year average.

The report also noted that corn emergence was reported at 89 percent, 41 percent above the previous year, and 14 percent above the five-year average. This does not reflect corn that will have to be replanted due to early May flooding, however corn not affected by the excessive rainfall appears to be doing well stated the report. “The average emerged corn height was 10 inches, with the most advanced height at 17 inches.”

Other crops of interest contained in the release included soybeans in which “planting progress was reported at 45 percent, 33 percent above last year, and 9 percent above the five-year average. Emerged soybeans reported at 23 percent, 18 percent above the previous year, and 6 percent above the five-year average.”

By Tim Thornberry
Kentucky Correspondent

Iowa

Warmer, drier weather in the northern and west central portions of Iowa allowed farmers to get out in the fields again, with producers continuing planting, spraying weeds and harvesting hay after one of the wettest weeks in two years.

“While much of the state was able to start drying out this past week so farmers could get back in the fields, southeast Iowa has continued to receive heavy rains that have limited fieldwork and could require some replanting,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.

According to the May 24 Iowa Crop & Weather Report, the improved conditions allowed most crops to recover from the frost and cooler weather experienced earlier in the month. Only a few reports have indicated a need to replant.

The report said corn planting was 98 percent complete, increasing 2 percent from last week, emerging 84 percent.

“The hot weather is really making the corn shoot up now, although the earlier extended cool, wet period did result in some corn seedling diseases that has resulted in some fields needing to be replanted,” said Jim Fawcett, Iowa State University field agronomist.
The report also said soybean planting was 75 percent complete, emerging 28 percent. “Good progress has been made in soybean planting the last few days,” Fawcett said, “but looks like more rain is going to put an end to the progress.”

By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent