Most of the Volunteer State was in need of a good amount of rain during the week ending Aug. 3. Despite that, the cool summer the state has experienced this year has left cotton in need of heat units, according to NASS.
No matter what the weather has thrown at Tennessee, most crops have consistently been rated in fair-to-good condition throughout the summer. Additionally, crop progress for the last few weeks has been in very close to five-year averages.
"All crops are progressing well. Grain sorghum acres in general are looking good. Sorghum webworm and other worms are being found in grain sorghum, resulting is some insecticide spraying. Fungicide applications are being applied on early-planted soybeans. Frogeye leaf spot remains light but is present in some fields," said Tim Campbell, Dyer County agent.
"Corn continues to fill the ear. Some early-planted corn beginning to show signs of firing up on bottom leaves of the plant as it begins to reach maturity. Cotton progressing as well as expected; however, continued cool weather not helping with maturation processes. Growers continue to battle weed issues but overall have done a pretty decent job in controlling weeds so far this year."
"The farmers in Fayette County had a good week spraying pests. The temperatures were cooler this week, not like July. All crops look good. Hay is being cut," reported Fayette County agent Jeff Via.
Farmers across the state had six days suitable for fieldwork during the week, the NASS report stated. Topsoil moisture levels across the state were rated 6 percent very short, 33 percent short, 59 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 5 percent very short, 28 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.
By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent