Farmers were hit hard when the Mississippi River flooded, spilling into West Tennessee farmland the week ending July 5, according to reports from NASS and state officials.

"Farmers in Mississippi Delta bottoms are battling floodwaters from back-out waters of the Forked Deer and Obion River tributaries due to the Mississippi River being 2-feet-plus above flood stage at Caruthersville, with more rain predicted for the next five days. Currently, probably 15,000 to 20,000 acres of planted crops are affected and expecting more before flooding ceases," said Tim Campbell, Dyer County extension agent.

Flooding and rain kept farmers across the state busy through the week but restricted them to just 3.1 days of fieldwork, according to NASS. Evidence can be found in the state’s moisture levels for the week: topsoil moisture was 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 25 percent surplus. Subsoil levels were 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 22 percent surplus.

"The farmers in Fayette County have finished wheat harvest and bean planting," said county agent Jeff Via. "Wheat yields were lower than most wanted, with test weights all over the board. Crops finally look good for the most part with warmer weather and frequent rains."

NASS said high levels of rain created a problem for farmers trying to battle weeds, but helped pastures. "Producers are having trouble with pigweed flare-ups due to excessive rains diluting herbicide applications," Haywood County agent Walter Battle reported.

Despite all the rain, the majority of the state’s crops remained in good condition, according to NASS.