Tennessee experienced variable temperatures and heavy rainfall last week. Some regions experienced storms with high winds and hail, which yielded some damage to strawberry crops as well as a few barns and greenhouses. Continuous rain kept producers mostly out of the fields this week, but corn and soybean planting are already well on their way. The precipitation has been very beneficial for pasture growth and winter wheat progress, with producers reporting most wheat crops looking healthy and strong.

Livestock are also looking good as the cool season pastures come in. Producers are looking to warmer temperatures and dry weather in the week ahead to continue corn and bean planting, as well as get started on cotton.

Statewide, there were 2.5 days suitable for field work last week.

Topsoil moisture was 4 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 29 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, and 75 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus.

CROP PROGRESS

Apples (blooming) – 61 percent this week, 50 percent last week

Corn (planted) – 13 percent this week, 6 percent last week

Soybeans (planted) – 8 percent this week, 4 percent last week

Winter Wheat (jointed) – 71 percent this week, 59 percent last week

Winter Wheat (headed) – 11 percent this week, 2 percent last week

Cotton (planted) – 0 percent this week

CONDITIONS

Strawberries – 3 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 12 percent excellent

Pasture – 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 8 percent excellent

Winter Wheat – 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 22 percent excellent