What’s Happening With Tennessee Crops?

USDA published the latest Crop Progress report on Monday, August 11. Here’s a closer look at recent weather and the status of Tennessee’s most important crops in early August.

Weather

Parts of Tennessee are experiences abnormally dry conditions, with some moderate drought conditions. 

In Monday’s Crop Progress report, USDA said farmers had 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork the week that ended August 10, compared to 6.6 days this time last year.

USDA rated Tennessee topsoil moisture 20% very short, 40% short, 39% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions in the state were rated 15% very short, 42% short, 42% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Corn

Acreage Estimates

According to the June 30 Acreage report, Tennessee farmers planted 950,000 acres of corn in 2025. This is up from 700,000 acres from the previous year.

Pest and Disease Pressure

According to the Crop Protection Network, four western Tennessee counties have reported southern corn rust: Dyer, Gibson, Madison and Lauderdale counties. 

Heather Marie Kelly, University of Tennessee (UT) Extension Plant Pathologist, says in a UT Crops News article that southern corn rust can be confused with common rust, Curvularia, Physoderma brown spot, and other physiological leaf spotting/damage.

Silking Progress

USDA reported that 97% of Tennessee’s corn crop has reached the silk growth stage. That is on par with the five-year average of 98%. 

Corn Dough

The latest Crop Progress report said 83% of Tennessee’s corn crop has reached the dough stage. The five-year average is 81%. Last year at this time 81% of the state’s corn had reached the dough stage.

Corn Dented

USDA reported that 48% of Tennessee’s corn crop has reached the dough stage. This is ahead of the five-year average of 39%. Last year at this time 46% of the state’s corn had reached the dough stage.

Corn Condition

USDA rated Tennessee corn 5% very poor, 10% poor, 26% fair, 40% good, and 19% excellent for the week that ended August 10.

The national average rating is 2% very poor, 5% poor, 21% fair, 52% good, and 20% excellent.

Soybeans

Acreage Estimates

The Acreage report published June 30 said Tennessee planted 1.75 million acres of soybeans this year. That is down from 1.82 million acres in 2024.

Pest and Disease Pressure

Sebe Brown, IPM Extension specialist, said in an UT Crops News article that he has received calls about corn earworms in soybean fields across Tennessee. Moths are typically attracted to later planted, more open canopy fields. However, earworms can be found in any stage beans.

Blooming Progress

The latest Crop Progress report said 84% of Tennessee soybeans are blooming. That is slightly behind the five-year average of 88%, though it was at 89% this time last year. 

Soybeans Setting Pods

Sixty-eight percent of Tennessee’s soybeans have reached the pod growth stage, compared to the five-year average of 67%. Last year reported 74% setting pods. 

Soybean Condition

USDA rated Tennessee soybeans 7% very poor, 9% poor, 29% fair, 44% good, and 11% excellent for the week that ended August 10.

The 18-state average ratings are 2% very poor, 5% poor, 25% fair, 53% good, and 15% excellent over the same time period.

Cotton

Acreage Estimates

The USDA Acreage Report said Tennessee planted 260,000 acres of cotton in 2025, down 5,000 acres from last year. 

Cotton Squaring

The latest Crop Progress report said 83% of Tennessee cotton is squaring, compared to 99% last year. That is behind the five-year average of 96%. 

Cotton Setting Bolls

USDA reported 67% of Texas cotton is setting bolls, compared to 84% last year. That is behind the five-year average of 79%.

Cotton Bolls Opening

The Crop Progress Report said 1% of Tennessee cotton is setting bolls, compared to 4% last year. That is slightly behind the five-year average of 2%.

Cotton Condition

USDA rated Texas cotton 14% very poor, 12% poor, 26% fair, 40% good, and 8% excellent for the week that ended August 10. 

The 15-state average for cotton condition is 7% very poor, 11% poor, 29% fair, 43% good, and 10% excellent over the same time period.

Pasture, Range and Hay

USDA rated pasture and range conditions in the state 4% very poor, 11% poor, 30% fair, 50% good, and 5% excellent.

The 48-state average is 10% very poor, 20% poor, 31% fair, 29% good, and 10% excellent.