The last week of August was a good one for Volunteer State farmers, according to NASS. Mostly dry conditions allowed them to finish spraying for insects around soybean and cotton crops, while warm temperatures helped cotton development catch up to normal levels, according to the weekly crop progress report from NASS.

The warm, dry weather gave farmers six full days suitable for fieldwork, which they took full advantage of. Hay producers got in their second cuttings with favorable yields, while corn farmers were able to begin harvesting with early yields looking good.

Crops have steadily remained in fair to good condition throughout the summer and the trend continued the week ending Aug. 31. Progress of tobacco, soybeans, cotton and all corn except for harvested remained close to their five-year averages. Harvested corn was 2 percent, the same as the year before, but less than its five-year average of 18, reports NASS.

"Corn is drying down. Expect harvest to begin soon. Soybeans and cotton are setting pods and bolls, respectively. Pastures are good, along with cattle. We are having armyworm issues on pasture, turf grass and gardens," reported J.C. Dupree of Lauderdale County.

"Corn has progressed to the point in most cases of waiting to dry down enough to harvest. A few scattered acres have been harvested, being delivered to elevators offering early premium for wet corn. Major harvest efforts for corn will probably occur beginning the week of September 8 in Dyer County," said extension agent Tim Campbell.

George Heiskell, Claiborne County agent, said rain in July and August brought a rapid recovery from the dry weather his county experienced in May and June: "Corn, tobacco and soybeans look like a bumper crop."

Grainger County growers found blue mold on their tobacco, reported agent Anthony Carver, while Knox County extension agent Neal Denton said his county experienced something unusual: "Turkeys are digging up large areas in hay and pasture fields, looking for grub."

The report says the state’s topsoil moisture levels were rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 6 percent very short, 23 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.