Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 4/25/17

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg. VS ST A SS
5.7 6.5 5.6 4.9

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
Topsoil Moisture 4 28 58 10
Subsoil Moisture 4 24 70 2
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 63 32 69 64
Tobacco: Flue-cured 24 n/a 15 18
PHENOLOGICAL:
Corn % Emerged 12 n/a 31 31

Wheat % Headed 60 21 37 37

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Barley 1 12 36 47 4
Corn 0 0 14 85 1
Oats 1 4 36 56 3
Pasture 3 11 36 45 5
Wheat 1 9 25 58 6
VP = Very Poor P = Poor F = Fair G = Good EX = Excellent

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS

The county received some much needed rain during the latter half of the week. Most of the rainfall was a gentle, soaking rain; however, there were periods of heavy rain which did cause some localized flash flooding with little or no damage. Rainfall amounts were variable across the county but most areas received between 3.5"-5". The rain hindered most field activities but there was a small amount of corn planted early in the week. Pastures and hay ground continues to improve in response to fertilization and moisture. Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension

Rain started Thursday and is continuing. There is some flooding along streams and the river. Will not know the extent of damage due to flooding until water recedes. Grass is looking good for both pasture and hay crop. Julia Houck – Ashe/Alleghany County Extension

Near normal rainfall for period of 1" with above normal temperatures. Robert Hawk – Swain County Extension

Rainfall of about 1 inch occurred over several events this week. Our small grains are used for green chop, so grain condition is not a factor for us. Steve Duckett - Buncombe County Extension

All tobacco growers started planting this week. The wheat crop is heading out and we are seeing stunted wheat from the freeze damage. The rain that is moving in will be a great for all crops and pastures. Charles Mitchell - Franklin county Extension

There will be few peaches and no plums this year. Only the highest chill hour varieties (Contender, China Pearl) set adequate fruit, to amount to half a crop for those varieties. Overall, the peach crop will be 10% of normal. Small fruits, especially blueberries, were ruined by March freeze (3/13-3/18). Rains late this week have improved small grain fill. 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

Rains in most areas have improved soil moisture levels and crop potentials. Phil Rucker – Davie-Yadkin County Extension

Warmer temperatures and frequent rains have been of benefit to all the crops grown in Rutherford County. Janice Nicholson – Rutherford County Extension

Scattered rain - 0.1" to 0.5" - across the county last week did little to help soil moisture situation, in part due to constant daytime winds. Early planted corn looks good with some March planted corn at V4. Mark Seitz – Pender County Extension

Corn planting is almost complete. Some soybeans are in the ground. Need a shower to help germination.Daniel Simpson - Pamlico County Extension

Tobacco transplanting began during the week. Expect that to continue as more growers begin transplanting. Rainfall at the end of the week will help soil moisture and help increase survival of transplants and help corn and other crops emerge. Corn plantin has started, but only a few fields have been planted so far. Pastures started growing more quickly at the end of the week when we started receiving some rainfall. Grass had been growing slowly due to low soil moisture. Farmers should be able to stop feeding hay soon. Paul Westfall – Granville County Extension

The area is getting some much needed rainfall this week. We have had excellent weather to this point for planting corn, cotton, and transplanting tobacco. Farmers were originally going to begin cotton and peanut planting this week, but the weather will delay their planting dates. This isn't of much concern, we still have a large planting window ahead of us to plant when conditions are favorable. Roy Thagard – Greene County Extension

Very Dry Corn planting is progressing. A few are transplanting tobacco. Wheat is progressing.
Gary Cross – Person County Extension

Wilson County is getting some well needed rain now. There were spots in the county, where the dirt was like baby powder. Danny Tharrington – Wilson County FSA

Stripe rust is found very commonly in wheat. Norman Harrell – Wilson County Extension

Strawberries that were damaged heavily by the March freeze have finally began to produce at adequate levels. Many growers had ample supplies this week. It was a good week for transplanting tobacco. Wheat rust has been widespread over the last week and susceptible varieties are showing the effects. Many fields have been treated for the disease. Georgia Love – Agronomist Region 5

For the full report, click here.