Cold, cloudy conditions across most of Tennessee combined with rain, some freezing precipitation and frost slowed fall crop planting and created concern that small grains, particularly wheat, field crops, and fruit crops – especially apples – may have been damaged by the cold weather.

Twenty-five percent of tomatoes, beans and other commercial crops that had been set were lost due to the cold weather in East Tennessee. There will be a delay until full damage can be fully assessed. However, in at least one area of the state, producers made excellent planting progress.

Cotton planting also started. Producers were hopeful that forecasted warmer weather will come to fruition and stimulate more pasture growth. Other activities included burndown and spreading of fertilizer and lime.

There were 5.2 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 9 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 7 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus.

CROP PROGRESS

Apples (full bloom) – 82 percent this week, 68 percent last week

Corn (planted) – 48 percent this week, 26 percent last week

Corn (emerged) – 18 percent this week, 5 percent last week

Cotton (planted) – 1 percent this week

Soybeans (planted) – 8 percent this week, 2 percent last week

Winter Wheat (jointing) – 88 percent this week, 79 percent last week

Winter Wheat (headed) – 33 percent this week, 10 percent last week

CROP CONDITIONS

Wheat – 3 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 60 percent good, 14 percent excellent

Pasture – 7 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 50 percent good, 10 percent excellent

Strawberries – 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 49 percent good, 17 percent excellent

Apples – 3 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 60 percent good, 6 percent excellent