(The following report is for the week ending September 25, 2023)

Tennessee continued to experience dry weather and moderate temperatures last week, allowing fieldwork to steadily continue. Statewide, the remaining crops could use a bit of rain to push toward completion. Some regions of the state including the south-central counties are starting to enter the abnormally dry category on the state drought monitor watch. Nonetheless, as harvest continues, corn yields are looking strong with soybean yields coming in decently as well. Pasture reseeding continues and new forage growth is looking good. Producers have started defoliating cotton aiming towards harvest very soon. As some producers wrap up harvests, winter wheat crops are going into the ground. Overall, crop conditions remain strong as we officially head into the fall season. Statewide, there were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture was 6 percent very short, 32 percent short, and 62 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture was 5 percent very short, 27 percent short, and 68 percent adequate.

CROP PROGRESS

Corn (dented) – 98 percent this week, 97 percent last week

Corn (mature) – 91 percent this week, 80 percent last week

Corn (harvested) – 46 percent this week, 26 percent last week

Cotton (bolls opening) – 65 percent this week, 42 percent last week

Cotton (harvested) – 3 percent this week, 2 percent last week

Soybeans (dropping leaves) – 62 percent this week, 46 percent last week

Soybeans (harvested) – 17 percent this week, 11 percent last week

Tobacco (cut) – 75 percent this week, 64 percent last week

Winter Wheat (planted) – 4 percent this week, 1 percent last week

Winter Wheat (emerged) – 0 percent this week

CROP CONDITIONS

Cotton – 5 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 62 percent good, 13 percent excellent

Corn – 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 55 percent good, 20 percent excellent

Soybeans – 3 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 59 percent good, 15 percent excellent

Tobacco – 4 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 47 percent good, 23 percent excellent

Pasture – 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 53 percent good, 6 percent excellent

Cattle – 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 65 percent good, 15 percent excellent

Hay – 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 59 percent good, 11 percent excellent