Most crops in the Volunteer State were in good to excellent condition during the week ending July 19, despite some remaining underwater from floods in the Delta region earlier in the month, according to NASS’ weekly report.

Tennessee’s moisture levels showed evidence of the flooding and rainfall that hit the state during July. Topsoil moisture was 1 percent very short, 18 percent short (a 12 percent increase), 68 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were 1 percent very short, 14 percent short (a 7 percent increase), 73 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus.

The majority of cotton, pastures and tobacco were ranked in fair to good condition, with the majority being rated good. Even so, pastures were in need of rain. The majority of soybeans and corn also were in good condition, and more rated in excellent condition than in fair, the report showed.

Farmers got much done during the 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork they had during the week. They were able to harvest some early-planted dark-fire tobacco, top tobacco and begin second cuttings of hay, with good yields expected.

“Not much has changed from last week. Corn, cotton, soybeans and milo are in good conditions, with some areas of the county becoming dry. Of course, in the river bottom areas, producers are dealing with several thousand acres of flooded crops,” reported J.C. Dupree, Lauderdale County extension agent.

“Conditions are dry across most of the county, with areas receiving scattered rain. Some land is dry, while some low-lying fields have excess moisture,” said Kenny Herndon, Carroll County agent.

“The farmers in Fayette County are busy spraying insects. We received some rain one day last week but it is dry for the most part. Crops look good,” stated Jeff Via of Fayette County.

“The vegetables have taken a hit over the past two weeks due to all the wet weather. Bacteria spot, stem canker (looks like early blight with smaller spots) and botrytis are the major diseases. Tomatoes and other fruiting crops are showing cracks because of rapid growth from too much water,” said Anthony Carver, Grainger County.

“This was our first ‘rain-free’ week in about two months. Soybean planting was finally completed this week in river bottoms. Second cutting of hay was harvested on some farms. Harvest has begun on some of the early set dark-fired tobacco. Overall, crops look great,” reported Ronnie Barron of Cheatham County.

“Another mid-week rain help boost all crops, keeping them in mostly good to excellent condition. Some strong winds also came with the rain resulting in a few reports of minor crop damage,” said Calvin C. Bryant III, Lawrence County agent.