Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 4/17/17

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK  
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.    
6.5 5.5 6.1 4.7

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
 Topsoil Moisture 3 29 66 2   
Subsoil Moisture 3 21 75 1             
VS= Very Short   ST = Short   A = Adequate   SS = Surplus 
 
CROP PROGRESS PERCENT – WITH COMPARISONS 
This  Week Last Week Last Year 5 Yr. Avg. 
PLANTED:  
Corn 32 10 42 40    

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
  VP P F G EX
Barley 1 14 35 46 4 
Oats 1 4 34 58 3       
Pasture  2 12 36 45 5       
Wheat 1 9 25 59 6                   
VP = Very Poor  P = Poor  F = Fair  G = Good   EX = Excellent   

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS
Weather conditions for the week were warm and dry with only a trace of precipitation. Concerns are increasing for the potential of wildfires due to the dry conditions. Pastures and hay crops continue to improve with warmer temps and in response to fertilization. Field preparations for this year's crops are now in full swing. Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension 

The county is getting drier and water levels in streams and the river have dropped. Producers are getting ready to plant corn, tobacco and other spring seeded crops.  Julia Houck – Ashe/Alleghany County Extension 

No rainfall in this last period with soil conditions starting to dry out both in top soil and sub soil. Temperatures were above normal with wind and sun contributing to drying. Wildfires on small scale were reported in the area. Pastures still green but growth has stalled some. Robert Hawk – Swain County Extension 

Most of county continues in moderate drought, with areas in severe drought.  Steve Duckett - Buncombe County Extension 


Franklin County is extremely dry at this time. Rain is needed in order to make this a good tobacco setting season. This early heat and wind can cause problems for setting tobacco and vegetable transplants. The lack of rain has also caused some pastures to start showing signs of drought. Small grains have started heading and we are seeing signs of freeze damage and the wheat seems to be stunted a little as well. Strawberry season has started early and picking is sporadic. There seems to be hope for a good crop based on the blooms that we are currently seeing.  Charles Mitchell - Franklin county Extension 

Freeze event from 3/13-3/18 decimated peach and blueberry crops. We expect to have only 10% of a peach crop, and perhaps 40% of a normal blueberry crop. The freeze also depressed strawberrry yields, but only temporarily, (Reduced the Easter weekend pick by 1/2 to 2/3).  Taylor Williams – Moore County Extension

Dry warm weather has sped corn planting. Could use a rain shower to help germination. Would appear most corn will be planted timely and beans will follow shortly.  Daniel Simpson – Pamlico County Extension 



Tobacco transplanting has begun, field conditions are good but could use a rain. Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7 Peach growers in the area ha about a 40% crop, blueberries are looking good for now. Strawberries are starting to be harvested. Danelle Cutting – Rowan County Extension 

Freeze damage in strawberries set back harvest 20-30 days. Cool temperatures in April are helping keep this crop going but crop loss because of shorter harvest windows will likely occur. Freeze damage in early blooming blueberry varieties is 90%100%. Later maturing varieties have some freeze damage but there is a crop coming for harvest. Total loss can't be determined until harvest is complete to compare variety performance from previous years with this year's crop. Early planted corn looks good to excellent across the county. Wheat looks good in general but there is some frost injury evident in unfilled kernels.  Mark Seitz – Pender County Extension 

Tobacco setting began late last week and many acres will be set this week if weather allows. Conditions are dry, and a measurable rainfall is needed. Zachary Taylor -  County Extension 

There were a couple of showers during the week, but fields are still pretty dry. Farmers are saying that we need a lot more rainfall to get soil moisture levels up. Wheat started heading during the week and is doing fairly well. Most fields have recovered form cold damage. Tobacco transplanting will likely start next week. Strawberries are in full swing, with growers reporting thrips damage. Pastures and hay fields are starting to grow well across the county, but rainfall is needed to boost forage growth. Farmers are applying fertilizers to pastures and are controlling broadleaf weeds. Paul Westfall – Granville County Extension

Observed hessian fly infestation in one field.  Cameron Lowe – Currituck County Extension 

Corn and tobacco growers are off to a good start for #Plant17. Nice weather conditions have allowed tobacco transplanting to begin a week earlier than normal. Moisture is adequate now, but if we sure could use some showers soon.  Roy Thagard – Greene County Extension

For the full report, click here.