Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 10/16/17


SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Topsoil Moisture 9 35 54 2
Subsoil Moisture 7 30 59 4
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus


DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
5.5 6.7 3.8 4.8

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Cotton 1 5 20 56 18
Pasture 3 10 32 48 7
Peanuts 0 3 22 59 16
Soybeans 0 7 25 55 13
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.
PHENOLOGICAL:
Cotton % Bolls Opening 90 85 93 91
Soybean% Dropping Leaves 76 66 69 67
HARVESTED:
Apples 85 80 80 82
Corn for Grain 92 89 94 91
Corn Silage 95 92 99 96
Cotton 20 13 10 12
Hay: Third Cutting 84 76 76 72
Peanuts 41 25 23 34
Sorghum 78 67 64 n/a
Soybeans 26 16 14 10
Sweet Potato 66 51 45 56
Tobacco: Burley 77 69 77 87
Tobacco: Flue-cured 94 90 97 94
PLANTED:
Barley 15 12 14 24
Oats 27 17 11 20
Wheat 14 n/a n/a n/a

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS
Weather conditions returned to warm and relatively dry following the much
needed rain late in the precious week. Most of the county only received
between a trace and 0.25" of rain during the week. Vegetable crop harvest
is nearly complete with only a few crops still in the field. Corn silage
harvest is completed and most cover crops are planted. Pastures are still
holding pretty well boosted by the moisture last week and cooling
temperatures. Christmas tree growers are gearing up getting ready for
harvest to begin in a few weeks.
Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension

Franklin County is still dry. We did not receive much rain from last week’s
storm. We could use rain in order to plant small grains and renovate
pastures. Charles Mitchell – Franklin County Extension

Weather was good over last period with above normal temperatures and
near average rainfall with widespread .50"- 1" across Jackson and Swain
County. Robert Hawk - Swain County Extension

Received 2.5"-3" of rain early in the week which helped recharge some of
the pastures. Jeff Vance - Mitchell County Extension

Cotton harvest has been delayed by wet weather and regrowth has
become an issue with the warm weather. This caused a need to make a
second defoliation application.
Jacob Morgan - Jones County Extension

With warm temperatures many cotton farmers will have to spray a 2nd
dessicant to take care of regrowth. This should be a good week for
progress in harvesting cotton, peanuts, and sweet potatoes that are in the
field. Roy Thagard – Greene County Extension

Most areas received 1-2 inches this week.
Tim Britton – Johnston county Extension

Although not significant amounts, it rained most of the week. Rainy
weather has delayed soybean harvest. Cabbage crop looks excellent.
Farmers continue to prepare land for the planting of wheat. Other
activities include soil sampling, and mowing ditch banks.
Al Wood - Pasquotank County Extension

Tobacco Harvest should finish up this week. Sweet potato harvest
continues with good yields being reported. Much needed rains have
helped alleviate drought conditions across Harnett County. The much
needed moisture will help the oat, barley, and wheat planting in progress.
Livestock producers are over-seeding Bermuda with rye or ryegrass as
well as renovating some pastures.
Brian Parrish – Harnett County Extension

Very dry crops still under stress. Tobacco harvest in some areas late due
to green up from earlier weather conditions. Very little wheat planted due
to drought. Corn harvest winding down.
Gary Cross – Person County Extension

Cooler weather has helped some but the lack of rainfall this fall slowed
forage growth on cool-season grasses. No frost and warm temperatures
have been a plus for those tobacco growers getting the remainder of the
crop harvested. Grain harvest yields on corn and soybeans are below the
normal averages for the county.
Joey Knight - Caswell County Extension

Despite cloudy and humid conditions last week, very little rain fell across
the county. Lots of strawberries set last week.
Zachary Taylor – Lee County Extension

Light rain slowed soybean harvest, but most growers have a good start on
harvest. Early beans have matured quickly, and late beans are dropping
leaves. Daniel Simpson – Pamlico County Extension

For the full report, click here.