While most of the state has received much-needed rainfall in the past few weeks, September crop estimates still show a decrease in expected yields. That’s the bad news; the good news is crop expectations are still above last year’s numbers – except for burley tobacco.

A report from the NASS Kentucky field office noted corn production was forecast at 186.3 million bushels, down 4 percent from the August forecast but 22 percent above the 2010 production level. Soybean production was forecast at 55.5 million bushels, down 7 percent from the August estimate but 17 percent above 2010.

Burley tobacco was forecast at 119.7 million pounds, down 5 percent from August and 15 percent below 2010, while dark tobacco production was forecast at 30.7 million pounds, unchanged from the August forecast and up 6 percent from 2010.

The latest NASS crop report rated the state’s corn condition as 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 45 percent good and 12 percent excellent, with 32 percent of the crop harvested; this is well behind the 2010 crop which stood at 66 percent finished this time last year.

Soybeans were rated as 3 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 38 percent good and 7 percent excellent, according to the NASS report.

Sixty-nine percent of the burley tobacco crop had been cut as of Sept. 19, while 79 percent of dark tobacco had been cut by the same date.

Less heat and more rain helped pastures and crops throughout the state, for the week ending Sept. 18.

According to NASS, the National Weather Service and University of Tennessee extension, temperatures across the state averaged 2-7 degrees below normal, with rainfall averaging slightly below normal across most of the state. Soil moisture levels showed improvements over previous weeks’ levels, with topsoil moisture levels rated 8 percent very short, 23 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 9 percent very short, 28 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Pastures, many of which had been rated in poor condition because of a lack of moisture, are improving, with a majority rated in fair condition and more than a quarter of them in good condition. Some hay producers hope for a third cutting.

The majority of cotton and soybeans are rated in good condition. Cotton defoliation, hay harvest and fall forage seeding continue, while corn silage harvest is almost completed, according to a NASS report.

“Much-needed rain finally arrived for most cropping areas of the county. This most certainly improves cropping conditions for late-planted crops,” J.C. Dupree Jr., extension agent for Lauderdale County, reported.

“Some areas of the county received 1/10 to 3/10 of an inch of rain on Wednesday. Corn harvest has stalled as grain moisture is holding steady. Cotton defoliation has started, but fluctuating temperatures have made defoliation tricky. A very limited number of acres have been harvested,” said Richard Buntin, Crockett County agent.

“The farmers in Fayette County were busy harvesting corn and defoliating cotton this week. We did receive trace amounts of rain, but not enough to keep farmers out of the field. We are still dry, and the crops look about like last week, just maturing,” reported agent Jeffery Via.

“Scattered thunderstorms mid-week followed this summer’s pattern by giving the northern parts of the county 1 to 3 inches of rain, while southern parts of the county picked up a trace to half an inch. Corn harvest is ongoing, with yields hanging in the 110 to 150 range. Some early-maturing soybeans have been harvested, with yields running in the low 40s,” stated Jeff Lannom, Weakley County agent.

“Corn harvesting started back after last week’s rain. Some producers are reporting lower yields due to the summer’s dry spells. Pastures and late beans are looking much better than two weeks ago,” Kevin Rose, Giles County agent, reported.