Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 9/18/17

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Topsoil Moisture 1 12 78 9
Subsoil Moisture 1 11 75 13
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus


DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
5.6 5.7 6.7 6.0

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
Corn 1 3 19 46 31
Cotton 0 3 18 57 22
Pasture 1 8 29 52 10
Peanuts 0 1 17 64 18
Sorghum 0 4 31 57 8
Soybeans 0 5 22 60 13
Sweet Potato 0 1 30 61 8
Tobacco: Burley 6 10 31 53 0
VP = Very Poor P = Poor F = Fair G = Good EX = Excellent



CROP PROGRESS PERCENT – WITH COMPARISONS 
This Week  Last Week  Last Year  5 Yr. Avg. VP P F G EX
PHENOLOGICAL:
Corn % Mature 93 88 97 96
Cotton % Bolls Opening 55 35 62 58
Soybean % Setting Pods 96 92 97 90
Soybean% Dropping Leaves 26 18 28 20
HARVESTED:
Apples 57 50 64 56
Corn for Grain 68 56 80 65
Corn Silage 80 72 93 85
Hay: Third Cutting 52 47 65 52
Peaches 96 93 95 98
Sorghum 24 15 32 N/A
Sweet Potato 13 10 19 17
Tobacco: Burley 40 30 38 57
Tobacco: Flue-cured 73 66 81 76

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS

Hurricane Irma dumped 3-5 inches of rain across region. Total
crop damage from flooding and wind yet to be fully assessed
Dwayne Tate – Agronomist Region 12

Weather was drier than previous period after Tropical System Irma
departed with only a widespread .25" of rainfall across the
counties and temperatures returning to near normal values. Much
wind damage observed above 4,000'with large trees blown down
in Jackson County on southerly facing slopes and in some
mountain gaps.
Robert Hawk – Swain County Extension

The remnants of Hurricane Irma brought high winds and
significant moisture to the county early in the week. Rainfall
amounts were variable across the county and ranged from over 6"
or rain in the southern portions of the county to 2.5" in the northern
portions. There was some flooding associated with the storm
system and approx. 3-5 acres of vegetable crops were damaged
by flood waters. High winds caused downed trees and power
outages across the county with some crop damage especially to
corn. Fortunately most of the burley tobacco crop had been cut at
the time of the storm so there was very little damage to that crop.
Hay producers took advantage of the drier weather later in the
week to make good progress harvesting their second cutting.
Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension

Wet weather this year has lowered tomato yields considerably.
Late season sweet corn will be harvested this week. Late season
tomatoes will produce until first frost. Blackberries are finished
being harvested. Raspberries are still in production.
Karen Blaedow – Henderson County Extension

Crops still in need of rain to finish tobacco harvest will continue
into October. Corn yields are down what has been harvested.
Gary Cross – Person County Extension

Tobacco that was transplanted early is deteriorating and needs to
be harvested, later transplanted is beginning to show
deterioration and leaf diseases. Recent rains have helped
soybean and peanut crops.
Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7

Little damage from hurricane Irma. Temperatures now are
somewhat high and things are getting dry.
Paige Burns –Richmond County Extension

Corn harvest is nearing completion with only the very late planted
corn still needed to be harvested. Early maturing, early planted
soybeans are being harvested with more acres getting ready as
indicated by fields going through senescence. Cabbage planting
is in the latter stages and the crop is progressing very well.
Al Wood – Pasquotank County Extension

Crops continue to progress. Peanut digging and cotton defoliation
will begin in the area in the next week to 10 days if conditions
continue as they are forecasted. Tobacco continues to decline
from disease and brown spot. Group 4 soybeans are dropping
leaves and ready to harvest.
Roy Thagard – Green County Extension

Tobacco, sweet potato, and corn harvest is progressing well.
Tobacco is not holding as well this year and is being harvested as
fast as barn space will allow. Sweet potato crop seems to be
yielding well.
Brian Parrish – Harnett County Extension

For the full report, click here.