|
|
|
|
|
|
| Between the Rows - Sept. 29, 2010 (Kentucky and Tennessee) |
|
|
|
Kentucky
Rain has been a scarce commodity most of the summer, to say the least, and crops will be affected. Forecasts are calling for significant rainfall this week. If it falls in the right areas it could help late-season soybeans, but if it doesn’t some of those may end up as hay.
The weekly report from the Kentucky NASS office for Sept. 19 noted that 68 percent of the state’s corn crop had been harvested, compared to 31 on the five-year average. The dry, hot weather had a lot to do with that as many acres in western Kentucky were harvested early for weather conditions.
The report also stated 12 percent of the state’s soybeans had been harvested. The crop was rated as 11 percent very poor, 22 poor, 40 fair, 22 good and 5 excellent.
As of Sept.19, 76 percent of the dark tobacco and 82 of the burley was cut, according to the NASS. Housed tobacco conditions were reported as 4 percent very poor, 11 poor, 32 fair, 41 good and 12 excellent.
The lack of rain has also hurt pastures, which were rated as 27 percent very poor, 33 poor, 20 fair, 18 good and 2 excellent. The state’s hay crop was rated as 19 percent very poor, 26 poor, 33 fair, 16 good and 6 excellent.
By Tim Thornberry
Kentucky Correspondent
Tennessee
The corn crop in Tennessee continued its harvest, with a little help from a little rain during the week that ended Sept. 19, according to NASS. Eighty-four percent of grain acreage was harvested, along with almost all corn silage. Cotton and soybean maturation continued to advance and remained ahead of schedule.
Pastures have had problems because of the dry conditions that continue to plague areas of the state. The lack of rain has forced some cattle producers to feed hay, while some hay producers have harvested a third cutting to maintain stock levels and keep pace with demand, NASS reports.
More than half of the cotton crop (57 percent) was rated in good condition, while 33 percent of soybeans were rated as good and 38 percent of pastures were rated fair, according to NASS.
“Most corn producers have completed harvest of ‘dry’ corn and are now waiting for late-planted river bottom fields to dry down. Soybean harvest is proceeding at a good clip.” explained extension agent Jeff Lannom of Weakley County.
“We have gotten some rain in different parts of the county over the last two days. The corn harvest is close to being done and overall has run smoothly. Soybean harvest will run into full swing in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, producers have been preparing fields for wheat planting and finishing up a hay cutting,” Marion County agent Matthew Webb said.
“This has been a very strange weather year in Giles County. Some forage producers are getting a third cutting of Johnsongrass hay. Went to the extreme southeast corner of the county this week and saw drought conditions very similar to those three years ago. Many livestock producers in that small area have been feeding hay for a month. No green anything in sight,” stated Kevin Rose, agent for Giles County.
“We are dry and in need of rain. Pastures are drying up and some farmers are feeding hay. We thought we had plenty, but we didn’t know we would be feeding in September. It’s good harvesting weather where you have something to harvest. Armyworms continue to be a problem in a lot of places,” Larry Moorehead, Moore County agent, reported.
According to the NWS, temperatures ranged 3-5 degrees above normal and precipitation levels were below-normal for the week.
By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent |
| 9/30/2010 |
|
|
