Dry weather in the Volunteer State meant good conditions for farmers to harvest crops and cut hay during the week ending Aug. 30, according to NASS’ weekly crop progress report.

Yield from corn has farmers optimistic the crop will meet earlier expectations of being a good one; however, they’re more unsure about the harvest of grain sorghum because of sugarcane aphids. Spraying to combat the insect and performing a second cutting of hay is how some farmers spent part of the 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork that week.

"The farmers in Fayette County had a great week. No rain, and cooler temps. Milo is close to being harvested and some early corn looks close. Some spraying for bugs took place. Crops look good," Jeff Via, Fayette County agent, said.

"Much cooler temperatures and dry conditions have some producers harvesting early-planted corn. Non-irrigated corn is yielding above the normal county average. Soybeans are in need of rain to help pods fill. Hay producers are taking advantage of dry conditions to harvest forage crops. Some scattered insecticide applications have been made in grain sorghum and soybeans," reported Weakley County agent Jeff Lannom.

"An excellent week of weather saw corn producers kick off harvest with yield reports ranging from 160 to 200-plus bushels of corn. Rain at the end of the week ranged from 1/10 to a half-inch, with a few isolated spots in the southwest portion receiving flash flooding rains Saturday (Aug. 29) evening," Ed Burns, Franklin County agent, said.

"Corn silage harvest is well under way. Crops look good, as do pastures. Cattle also look good and the hay supply is increasing. Last week’s rain has kicked pasture and hay growth into a higher gear. Fall seeding of cool season grasses has begun with the increase in soil moisture," reported Maury County’s Richard Groce.

Topsoil moisture levels were 6 percent very short, 16 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 6 percent very short, 15 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.