News

Planting in Tennessee continues to run ahead of the average pace

Weather continues to be favorable for planting progress in Tennessee.

David Nichols raises corn, soybeans, and wheat in the northwest corner of the state.  “The single crop soybeans, we’re probably something in excess of 90% planted,” he says.  “There are a lot of really early-April soybeans in our neck of the woods this time.”

Statewide soybeans are 38% planted compared to 18% last year and the 5-year average of 16% with 9% of the crop emerged.  Corn is 79% planted, compared to 61% last year and the 5-year average of 66%.  Cotton is 15% planted compared to the five-year average of 11%. 

Nichols says a recent cool and wet spell really slowed crop progress and hindered development.  “But, crops I can tell, really have changed in the last 48 hours,” he says.  “They’re really starting to get some color to them and some growth, too.”

Winter wheat is rated 69% good to excellent with 97% of the crop jointing and 85% headed.  Pastures are rated 61% good to excellent with limited growth reported.  The USDA says production is down because of the lack of moisture earlier in the year.  Topsoil moisture is 86% adequate to surplus and subsoil moisture is 91% adequate to surplus.