According to a Sept. 13 report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), late-August rainfall improved topsoil moisture and recovered pasture grasses. However, for many farmers across the state, the rain arrived too late to save their drought-

ravaged summer crops. This year, dry conditions, sweltering heat, and high input costs have farmers concerned with their potential for recoupment and profitability after the harvest season.

As of press time (Sept. 13), 42% of Tennessee corn had reached maturity, 15% of Tennessee soybeans were dropping their leaves, and 26% of Tennessee cotton bolls were opening.

See the following harvest insights 

and predictions from regional Co-op agronomists.

Ryan Zawacki, First Farmers Co-op agronomist — West Tennessee

In West Tennessee, planting date and location will dictate the yield this harvest season. The late soybean and corn crops look very promising, but farmers who planted early are experiencing significantly lower yields due to the drought in June and July. Rain at the end of August and September rejuvenated cotton, and yields are looking to be above average this season. However, those areas in the Northern and Western regions that didn’t receive rain this summer will likely be down in yield compared to previous years. Ultimately, those who diversified their crops instead of relying only on corn and soybeans will be glad they did when it’s time for harvest. 

Ken Tucker, Rutherford Farmers Co-op agronomist — Middle Tennessee 

In Middle Tennessee, farmers’ yields are largely dependent on their location due to sporadic rainfall in some areas and drought in others. Corn crops were most impacted by the heat and dry conditions, with several farmers reporting their lowest yields since the drought of 2012. However, those areas that received rain, especially through June, are experiencing decent yields, albeit not as high as in previous years. Overall, soybean yields are looking strong thanks to showers that rejuvenated the crop in mid-September. Many farmers were also impacted by the increase in input costs this year — fertilizer nearly doubled, as did the cost of Roundup. Grain prices are promising, though, and should absorb the costs associated with the inflation we have seen so far. 

Clay Richardson, AgCentral Farmers Co-op agronomist — East Tennessee

Just like in other regions, the drought and high temperatures have been the greatest struggle with crop production this year. Last year, crop conditions were some of the best that farmers had experienced in a long time, and they were hoping for another profitable season despite input costs being so high. However, yields haven’t been as bad as were originally forecasted, and farmers have been pleasantly surprised with the outcome of their harvest. Silage yields, especially, have been high, while late soybean yields are looking to be average to high. Late-performing crops in general are experiencing the highest yields this season since they had less time to be affected by the drought and heat.