Kentucky soybean yields varying widely
Nov 12, 2008 9:13 AM
Combines continued to roll through Kentucky soybean fields last week as 89 percent of the crop has now been harvested. That total is slightly behind the 92 percent of last year, but well ahead of the five-year average of 81 percent.
Growers reported good yields from full-season soybeans, but double-crop beans following wheat have yielded from good to very poor.
In Tennessee, soybean growers were wrapping u this year’s harvest, aheraad of the normal pace, but similar to last year.
Here’s how the situation unfolded in the two states for the week ending Nov. 9 as reported by the state USDA/NASS field offices.
Kentucky
Mild temperatures and dry conditions this past week were favorable for fall harvesting and seeding activities. Limited rain was received on Friday. Kentucky continues to be dry following a dry summer and early fall.
Corn harvesting was virtually complete and soybean harvesting was advancing. Farmers continued to seed their winter wheat. Farmers were able to work in the fields 6.0 days.
Tobacco stripping continues to be slowed by dry weather. As of Sunday, Nov. 9, topsoil moisture was rated 45 percent very short, 37 percent short, 17 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 53 percent very short, 37 percent short and 10 percent adequate.
Activities for the week included harvesting corn and soybeans, seeding winter wheat and stripping tobacco.
Corn harvest was virtually complete with 99 percent harvested as of Sunday, Nov. 9. Harvesting was equal to the 2007 crop and up one percent from the five year average. Corn yields have been good given the dry summer.
Soybean harvest continued to advance with the dry fall. As of Sunday, Nov.9, 89 percent of the soybean acreage for beans had been harvested. This was behind last year with 92 percent while ahead of the five year average of 81 percent. Farmers have reported good yields from full-season soybeans given the dry summer. Double-crop soybeans following the wheat harvest have yielded from good to very poor.
The burley tobacco crop was 28 percent stripped. This was up slightly from the previous week with 26 percent, but continues to be behind 37 percent for last year and the 40 percent for average. Lack of rain to bring tobacco into order has slowed stripping. Condition of stripped tobacco was 1 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 44 percent good and 6 percent excellent.
Winter wheat was 90 percent seeded as of Sunday. This equals last year and was ahead of 81 percent for average. Most farmers report adequate moisture for seeding and germination, while some report conditions too dry to seed. Condition of the emerged crop was 1 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 55 percent good and 14 percent excellent.
Pasture conditions were rated 41 percent very poor, 30 percent poor, 22 percent fair and 7 percent good. Many farmers were feeding hay to their livestock as their pastures were not able to supply needed feed.
Tennessee
Despite scattered showers and thunderstorms last week, producers continued to make good harvest progress with the six days suitable for fieldwork.
Virtually all of the state's cotton acreage has been picked once. Soybean farmers were wrapping up this year's harvest, ahead of the normal pace but similar to last year. Over three-fourths of the wheat acreage had been sown by week's end. Tobacco stripping has been at a standstill, due to the mostly dry weather and remains almost two weeks behind last year's pace.
Livestock producers continued feeding hay and hauling water in some areas due to the lack of available grazing and low pond levels. Pastures were rated in poor-to-fair condition.
As of Friday, topsoil moisture levels were rated 11 percent very short, 32 percent short, 56 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 24 percent very short, 34 percent short and 42 percent adequate.
Temperatures for the week averaged 1 to 3 degrees above normal, while rainfall was well below normal across the entire State.
COUNTY AGENT COMMENTS
"All harvests have progressed really well this week. Another 4 to 7 good days and harvest will basically be completed. Cotton and soybean yields are yielding better than expected. Anticipate a few more acres of wheat will be planted in the next 10 days weather permitting." Tim Campbell, Dyer County
"Excellent weather has kept combines rolling and wheat seeding is almost finished. Soybean harvest should finish by the weekend. Rainfall was light in most parts of the county last week with two-tenths of an inch or less being measured." Jeff Lannom, Weakley County
"Davidson County has received a little over half an inch of rainfall this week, which has helped to retain adequate soil moisture for fall crops and cool-season forage pastures." David Cook, Davidson County
"Drier conditions allowed for excellent harvest and planting conditions. Showers on Friday closed the week out with rain accumulations from 0.5 - 1.0 inch, which should allow for good germination of wheat and other seeded fall crops. A good week of harvest with several soybean producers reporting nearly finished. Cotton harvest is winding down with better than expected yields. Pastures for the fourth fall in a row lack of adequate moisture, high cost of fertilizer, and the need for grazing, has crippled yield potential of cool season grasses, especially stockpiled fescue. Pastures are barely keeping up with grazing demands and depending on weather most producers will need to begin feeding hay earlier than normal." Ed Burns, Franklin County
"Dry weather continues and many producers are waiting for rain before planting wheat. Several producers who planted forages have noted stand failure due to inconsistent rainfall and overall dry weather." Jerry Lamb, Rhea County
"Soybean harvest is going well. Frost has done some minor damage to late beans. Most producers are feeding hay. Pasture is gone. Pond and creek levels remain well below normal. Rain is needed." John J. Goddard, Loudon County
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