Until recently, wet and cooler than normal weather conditions have ruled the season across the state.

In West Tennessee, corn and soybeans which survived the earlier cold snap looked good. While rain forced producers out of fields in a large portion of West Tennessee, resulting in limited field activity, some producers were able to make some headway on corn and soybean plantings. Cotton planting slowly continued, and hay harvest is expected to begin soon. There were applications of both herbicides and fungicides for weed control and disease prevention, respectively. Most of the winter wheat has headed and is in overall good condition. The rains furthered pasture health and cattle are in good to excellent condition.

A break from rain in Middle Tennessee provided an opportunity for corn planting and even allowed an opening for some hay cuttings.

In East Tennessee, fruit and vegetable damage resulting from the recent cold weather became more evident. Yields for these crops are expected to be greatly diminished. Most garden crops were lost to the cold as well. Recently, milder temperatures coupled with precipitation are resulting in improved pasture conditions. Some full season soybeans were planted, and hay cutting is anticipated to begin in mid-May.

There were 4.5 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was 6 percent short 71 percent adequate, and 23 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 6 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus. Hay and roughage supplies were 1 percent very short, 16 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus.

CROP PROGRESS

Apples (full bloom) – 87 percent this week, 82 percent last week

Corn (planted) – 65 percent this week, 48 percent last week

Corn (emerged) – 35 percent this week, 18 percent last week

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

Soybeans (planted) – 15 percent this week, 8 percent last week

Winter Wheat (jointing) – 94 percent this week, 88 percent last week

Winter Wheat (headed) – 59 percent this week, 33 percent last week

CROP CONDITIONS

Apples – 4 percent poor, 41 percent fair, 49 percent good, 6 percent excellent

Pasture – 1 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 48 percent good, 12 percent excellent

Strawberries – 1 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 55 percent good, 9 percent excellent

Winter Wheat – 3 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 60 percent good, 16 percent excellent