Farmers in West and Middle Tennessee marched into battle with an old foe – armyworms – during the first week of September. Damages caused by the pests were mostly in hay and pasture fields and in some soybean crops, stated a report from NASS.

While some farmers battled bugs, others were dealing with harvest delays caused by rain and wet conditions. Soybean and corn farmers continued harvesting between rains, but hay and tobacco producers had to delay their harvests.

"All crops progressing well. August and September showers keeping beans looking good. Still have issues with armyworms in lawns, pastures and Bermuda grass hayfields. Getting isolated reports of armyworms and some corn earworms in soybeans," stated Tim Campbell, Dyer County agent.

"The farmers in Fayette County harvested a little corn this week, but rains that moved in last weekend and in the middle of the week and end of the week limited that. Other activities were mainly spraying for armyworms; having a bad year of them. Crops look good, and when dry conditions happen, corn harvest will be in full swing," reported agent Jeff Via of Fayette County.

"The corn harvest has begun, with 150 to 225 bushel per acre reports. Early soybeans are doing quite well, with many reporting 40- to 55-bushel per acre harvest. The cotton crop is doing well considering the type of growing conditions it’s been through. A good rain last week enabled pastures to hold up through very hot and humid conditions. The big concern currently is the armyworm outbreak," said Haywood County’s Walter Battle.

Pests and wet weather kept suitable fieldwork to 4.7 days for the week ending Sept. 7. Moisture levels across the state were rated 3 percent very short, 15 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 5 percent very short, 17 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus, NASS reported.