As Fall Approaches, Corn Harvest is Underway
09/07/10
Temperatures across the state 
were mercifully cooler last week, and limited rainfall gave farmers ample opportunity to harvest corn. As of week's end, 81 percent of corn harvest for silage had been completed, as well as 19 percent of corn for grain. Warm weather this summer has helped the cotton crop advance towards maturity at a tremendous pace, with 44 percent of the acreage with bolls opening, which is double the five-year-average for this week of the year. Over the past few weeks, farmers have also been making consistent headway with tobacco harvesting, as well as harvesting second cuttings of hay. Parts of West Tennessee that had been missed by scattered showers this summer received a small amount of welcome rain over the weekend. Fungicide and insecticide applications continued last week.
There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork this week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 10 percent very short, 32 percent short, 57 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were 13 percent very short, 36 percent short, 50 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Temperatures averaged 1 to 3 degrees above normal across the state. Precipitation averaged below normal across the state, although areas along the western edge of the state did receive some measureable rain.
