Soil conditions in Dyer Co remained dry. The county entered D1 drought designation last week. The last measurable rain occurred three week ago. Topsoil moisture was short or very short for most of the county. Subsoil moisture was mostly short to adequate. Crop planting progress is moving along at a slightly earlier pace than the 5 year average. The Tennessee Crop Report published by NASS indicated that 98% of corn, 82 % of soybeans, and 98% of cotton has been planted. The area saw an uptick of wheat harvest last week as farmers are preparing to get wheat beans in the ground once rainfall occurs.
The Weekly Report also indicated that 80% of Tennessee farmers had harvested their first cutting of hay. Pasture conditions were reported mostly in the Fair to Good category.
Weekend rains between .5″-1.0″ brought some much needed relief to our crops. As of June 15, the US Drought Monitor had Dyer Co listed at D1 Moderate drought. Topsoil moisture was reported at 32% short and 54 % adequate after the recent showers. Several farmers indicated applying nitrogen ahead of the predicted rain. Wheat harvest has slowed down due to spotty showers. As fields dry out this week, harvest is expected to pick up and planting of wheat beans will soon follow.
Corn is following the 5 year average at 99% emerged and slightly behind with 4% at silking compared to the 5 year average of 9%. Cotton was reported as 23% squaring. Beans were reported to be 87% planted, 77% emerged, and slightly ahead of the 5 year average of blooming with 10% compared to 2% 5 year average.
A note of concentration should be pigweed control. For UT recommendations on pigweed control please visit utcrops.com/pigweed. Please note the size for effective control is a vital factor- the earlier the better. Weeds at or above knee height are very difficult to control. Escapes will form seed and deposit them into the seedbank, making it an ongoing issue. Also note that pigweeds are one of few weeds that can germinate all Summer, making control very difficult. Creating a canopy early in the season can be beneficial in controlling populations. Cutoff dates for using dicamba are quickly approaching. Soybean cutoff date is June 30 and cotton is July 30.
Another dry week maintained Dyer Co’s Moderate Drought status in the Drought Monitor. According to the NASS 6/26/23 report, Tennessee reported 18% of corn at the silk stage, 33 % of cotton squaring, and 24% of soybeans blooming. In Dyer Co, a majority of wheat has been harvested and soybeans are being finished up. Soil moisture once again is a major topic with 71% of Tennessee reporting adequate topsoil moisture and 29% reporting short or very short. Similar reporting for subsoil moisture.
Another dry week for Dyer Co with the US Drought Monitor categorizing 95% of the county as D1 Moderate Drought. Despite the dry conditions, a majority of crops have gotten a good start. Most wheat beans were planted in the last week, waiting on a measurable rain to germinate. Approximately 70% of corn is tasseled, 80% of cotton is squaring, and 60% of soybeans are blooming. Forecasted rains later in the week could make a big difference in final yields for many farmers.
Many farmers reported very good wheat yields. Our CST plots had a mean of 118 bu/ac-137 bu/ac with an average of 123 bu/ac. Wheat net weekly sales reported by exporters were net sales of 5.7 million bushels for the 2023/24 marketing year. Exports for the same period were up 1% compared to last week at 5.8 million bushels. Wheat export sales were 20% of the USDA estimated total annual exports for the 2023/24 marketing year (June 1 to May 31), compared to the previous 5-year average of 29%. Wheat cash prices at elevators and barge points ranged from $6.19 to $7.23. July 2023 wheat futures closed at $6.36, . July 2023 wheat futures traded between $6.34 and $7.56 this week. July wheat-to-corn price ratio was 1.15. Jul/Sep and Jul/Jul future spreads were 15 and 61cents. September 2023 wheat futures closed at $6.51, down 95 cents since last Friday. July 2024 wheat futures closed at $6.97, down 73 cents since last Friday. Downside price protection could be obtained by purchasing a $7.00 July 2024 Put Option costing 69 cents establishing a $6.31 futures floor.
Another week of much needed rain was welcome throughout the county. So far, farmers in Dyer Co have also escaped damage from winds and hail. All but the far NE corner of Dyer Co is now classified as D0 Abnormally Dry according to the US Drought monitor. Areas around Trimble are still listed in D1 Moderate Drought. Crop progress has shown substantial maturity over the past week as most crops are rapidly transitioning from vegetative to reproductive growth. The Tennessee Crop Progress report indicates that 91% of corn is at silking or beyond, while 52% is at the dough stage. Cotton was reported at 89% squaring and 43% setting bolls. Soybeans are tracking about 10 points ahead of the 5 year average with 73% booming and 43% setting pods.
The July 21 Bollworm/Budworm catches for West TN were reported as 9 CEW, 2 TBW at the King Road trap and 46 CEW, 0 TBW at the Dyersburg trap. Growers are encouraged to read Dr. Tyson Raper’s thought on PGRs in July here.
Several factors are influencing commodity prices. Extension Farm Manage Specialist Tori Griffin gives here input in the Tennessee Market Highlights.
The big news from the last week is rain! Dyer Co received over 4″ of desperately needed rain over the past week. Crop response has been very visible. Topsoil moisture is adequate countywide, as is subsoil moisture. Attend now turns to disease and insect pressure as moist, humid climates tend to be conducive to both pests. According to the NASS Tennessee Crop Weather report, 84 % of Corn is at silking, 34% at dough. Cotton is 83% squaring and 30% setting bolls. Soybeans are moving along with 64% at blooming and 30% setting pods. All maturing stages are ahead the of the game compared to the 5 year average and last year’s progress. Recent rains were also much need to pasture and hayfields. Forage producers should be on top of weed control as moisture will germinate many warm season weed seeds. Storms also often bring in Fall Armyworm moths. Producers are encouraged to scout and look for adult moths and emerging larva.
Crops made great progress last week with the Tennessee Weekly Crop Progress Report indicating corn is at 95% Silking, 72% Dough, and 10% Dented. Cotton is 93% Squaring, 64% Setting Bolls. Most cotton producers have applied an application of PIX to limit growth and keep the crop from getting rank. Soybeans were reported at 76% blooming and 55% Setting Pods. Most hay producers have harvested at least two cutting and area cattlemen have indicated plenty of grazing forage. Topsoil moisture was reported at 76% adequate and subsoil at 81% adequate. Farmers could use a rain soon to propel the crops during reproductive growth.
July 26 Bollworm/Budworm Catches were reported as 5-CEW, 1-TBW at King Road and 34-CEW, 1-TBW at Dyersburg.
Markets took a nose dive late last week. Get an in depth view at the Tennessee Market Highlights page.
Spotted rain showers throughout the week gave way to some cooler temps but little relief in drought conditions. Topsoil moisture was reported at 65% adequate and subsoil moisture at 73% adequate. Corn and cotton is shaping up well, yet producers are keeping an eye out for late season pests with recent rains. Corn was reported to be 97% silking and 81 % dough. Cotton is mostly reported at squaring at 94% and 73% at setting bolls. Soybeans keep plugging along with 86% reported to be blooming and 63% setting pods- slightly above the 5 year average of 59%.
Fields got the chance to dry out this week while topsoil moisture was still reported at 78% and subsoil at 78%. Eyes are beginning to turn to the Mississippi River levels as we get closer to harvest season in the next month. Corn is beginning to mature with 15% reported throughout the state. 71% was reportedly in the dent stage. Cotton is beginning to mature with 8% of the state’s cotton reportedly opening. 96% of the crop is still in setting boil stage. Soybeans are setting pods at 83% and 2% of beans were reported as dropping leaves.
No report this week
Most of Tennessee saw a heat wave with temperatures reaching the upper 90s up to 100*. Corn and Soybean crops could use a rain to finish out the season. Cotton on the other hand is basking in the warm, dry weather. Once again, all eyes are on the Mississippi River and the low river levels. Corn was reported 82% dent and 32% mature. Soyeans88% setting pods and 10% dropping leaves. Cotton is progressing with 13% opening bolls. Topsoil moisture levels were reported at 74 adequate and 21% short. Subsoil at 13% short and 82% adequate.
It’s fair week in Dyer Co and the Crops Building is a sight to see! Crop entries usually give a good indication to what we can expect in the next few weeks as harvest begins to ramp up. The rest of Tennessee is also trending toward harvest with 45% of the states corn reported as mature. Soybean keep advancing with 18% dropping leaves. Cotton bolls are just beginning to open in the county and 18% throughout the state. Topsoil moisture was reported at 75% adequate and subsoil at 79% adequate. Those numbers are higher than most West TN farms.
Dry weather continues to persist throughout the area and Mississippi River levels are beginning to become an issue. Predictions indicate the levels will drop lower than last year’s record breaking levels. Corn harvest has ramped up locally and throughout the state with 12% reported harvested so far. 64% of corn was reported at mature. Soybeans are also starting to mature as 28% of this years crop is dropping leaves. Cotton is starting to open and is showing great yield. Reports show that soil moisture is holding steady at 75% adequate both topsoil and subsoil for the state. Locally, that number is much lower.
A growing portion (32% topsoil, 27% subsoil) of the state fell in the “short” category this week as the dry weather pattern continues. No substantial forecast of precipitation has many farmers looking for on farm storage options as the Mississippi River is too low to load barges. Bags are beginning to pop up in fields throughout the county. Corn is about half way through harvest with 28% reportedly harvested. Soybeans are beginning to dry down and 62% of the states crop has dropped leaves. Only 3% of the cotton crop has been harvested however 65% of stands have open bolls. Keep an eye out for early frost as most of the county’s crop still has leaves and is a little slow on the open stage.
Dry conditions once again take center stage this week with 43% of Tennessee cropland reporting shirt conditions in topsoil moisture and 36% in subsoil. Area river graineries are hot or miss on loading barges. Most Dyer Co farmers have opted for on farm storage with bags until rains come and stabilize river levels. 58% of the state’s corn crop has been harvest and 29% of the soybean crop. Locally, most corn has been harvested and attention has been turned to soybeans. Only 5% of the state’s cotton has been harvested. Cotton farmers should remain vigilant on forecasts of the first frost. I predict several farmers will be applying burndown soon to prepare for boll opener.
While this entry ends the seasons blog, producers are encouraged to visit utcrops.com for CST variety Trial data and weather/pest updates for the remainder of the harvest.