(The following report is for the week ending September 18, 2023)

Tennessee has continued to see mostly dry weather with just a few pockets of precipitation across the state. Most counties are pushing along with corn harvest while others are waiting for moisture levels to dry down before continuing. Soybean and cotton harvest has started as well, though many areas in the western region of the state could really use a bit of rain to push crops to maturity. Tobacco harvest is nearing completion, though some stands of dark-fire tobacco have been hit with disease, reducing quality and yields. Hay cutting and baling have continued, and new stands of forages are being planted. Winter wheat seeding has also begun following corn and bean harvests. Overall hay condition and quality have been decent, though some producers report reduced yields coming out of the summer, causing some concern for cattle producers as we head towards winter.

Overall, mild temperatures and good soil moisture prevail as harvest season kicks into full swing.

Statewide, there were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork last week. Topsoil moisture was 5 percent very short, 30 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 5 percent very short, 24 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

CROP PROGRESS

Corn (dented) – 97 percent this week, 96 percent last week

Corn (mature) – 80 percent this week, 64 percent last week

Corn (harvested) – 26 percent this week, 12 percent last week

Cotton (bolls opening) – 42 percent this week, 30 percent last week

Cotton (harvested) – 2 percent this week, 1 percent last week

Soybeans (dropping leaves) – 46 percent this week, 28 percent last week

Soybeans (harvested) – 11 percent this week, 2 percent last week

Tobacco (cut) – 64 percent this week, 55 percent last week

Winter Wheat (planted) – 1 percent this week

CROP CONDITIONS

Cotton – 5 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 53 percent good, 19 percent excellent

Corn – 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 58 percent good, 18 percent excellent

Soybeans – 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 57 percent good, 19 percent excellent

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

Pasture – 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 56 percent good, 9 percent excellent

Cattle – 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 68 percent good, 13 percent excellent

Hay – 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 58 percent good, 12 percent excellent