While the condition of many of Michigan’s crops was still in the fair to excellent range, that could change if the state doesn’t get some rain, according to the director of Michigan’s NASS field office.

“Right now we’re in pretty good shape, but crops are starting to see more stress,” said Jay Johnson. “Overall, (conditions) have been trending downward over the past few weeks. A critical time of the year is coming up in July. If we don’t see timely rains, we’ll see (the conditions) decrease a lot quicker.”

Rain has been spotty, with the northwestern and northeastern parts of the state seeing above-normal precipitation, while most of the rest of the state, including the Upper Peninsula, was below normal amounts, NASS stated.

For corn, 88 percent of the crop was considered fair to excellent, NASS said last week in its Michigan Crop Weather report. Eighty-six percent of the state’s soybean crop was considered fair to excellent, while 92 percent of the dry bean crop and 90 percent of winter wheat fell within that range.

Though 96 percent of the state’s soybean crop had emerged, some farmers could be having trouble with it, Johnson noted. “Some of the soybeans were planted in dry land, and without much rain, they’re having trouble popping through,” he explained.

Last year at this time, 68 percent of the crop had emerged. The five-year average is 85 percent.

The planting and emergence of dry beans were also ahead of normal, as were the first cutting of hay, oats headed and turning yellow and winter wheat turning yellow.

Fruit development was about two weeks ahead of normal, with harvest under way for tart and sweet cherries, strawberries and summer variety raspberries.

Crops are progressing well in Tennessee, despite nearly half the state’s farmland needing more soil moisture, according to a report from NASS for the week ending June 17.

Topsoil levels were rated 13 percent very short, 33 percent short and 54 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 14 percent very short, 36 percent short and 50 percent adequate, the report stated.

Nearly half of the state’s crops were rated in good condition: corn, 51 percent; cotton, 56 percent; pastures, 42 percent; soybeans, 58 percent; and tobacco, 69 percent, according to NASS.

The report also stated 47 percent of the corn crop is in the critical pollination stage, and wheat harvest, soybean planting and tobacco transplanting are almost done, with 93 percent of winter wheat harvested; 47 percent of corn silking or beyond; 31 percent of cotton squaring; and 95 percent of soybeans planted, 78 percent emerged and 6 percent blooming. Ninety-one percent of tobacco is transplanted.

Temperatures across the Volunteer State last week were slightly above normal, while rainfall amounts averaged below normal, according to NASS and the National Weather Service.

“We have had good moisture throughout the first of spring. Crops are out now and it has begun to get dry and without moisture soon, our crops could begin to suffer. The high temperatures have caused what little rain we have received to dry up quickly,” stated extension agent Steven Huff of Cocke County.

In areas that have received rainfall, the outlook is a bit different. “Corn crop is looking to be the best in recent years, as long as rain continues in the forecast. All crops have benefited from showers, as we are only three inches below normal for the year,” reported Rhea County agent Jerry Lamb.

“The farmers received a nice rain last weekend and were not able to get much fieldwork done at the start of the week. Fieldwork started back mid-week, with producers planting beans, cutting hay, spraying and finishing up with wheat harvest. Crops look a lot better after needed rains,” Jeffery Via, Fayette County agent, reported last week.

While some spotty areas of Kentucky received much-needed moisture last week, overall the state is dry. The Kentucky NASS field office’s latest report listed topsoil moisture as 23 percent very short, 39 percent short, 37 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

If the lack of rainfall continues, crops will begin to be affected. So far the corn crop here is rated as 4 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 40 percent good and 10 percent excellent.

Soybean planting is nearly complete and well ahead of the five-year average. The NASS report noted “that 86 percent of the planted soybean crop has emerged, compared to 56 percent last year and the five-year average of 67 percent. Average soybean height for the state is nine inches.”

Even with the lack of rain, the NASS reported both crops are still advanced for this time of year.

Burley producers have nearly finished planting, with 89 percent of the crop making it into the ground as of June 18. Most of them are at least two weeks ahead of last year’s planting.

Dark tobacco planting is in line with 2011, with 88 percent of that crop seeded. The condition of the state’s tobacco crop is listed as 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 59 percent good and 11 percent excellent, according to the NASS report.

Kentucky’s winter wheat harvest is nearly complete, but anticipated yields are off from last year by 9 percent. The yield forecast stands at 62 bushels per acre, compared to 70 in 2011.