Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 10/23/17

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Topsoil Moisture 9 36 53 2
Subsoil Moisture 7 27 64 2
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
6.6 5.5 5.9 6.1

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Cotton 1 4 17 57 21
Pasture 3 9 32 48 8
Soybeans 0 6 24 55 15
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 94 90 96 95
Soybean% Dropping Leaves 88 76 82 80
HARVESTED:
Apples 88 85 86 88
Corn for Grain 95 92 96 94
Cotton 31 20 19 20
Hay: Third Cutting 89 84 81 78
Peanuts 59 41 34 50
Sorghum 90 78 70 n/a
Soybeans 34 26 23 16
Sweet Potato 76 66 61 67
Tobacco: Burley 86 77 86 92
Tobacco: Flue-cured 97 94 98 97
PLANTED:
Barley 37 15 41 39
Oats 49 28 26 33
Wheat 24 14 14 15

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS
Weather conditions for the week were primarily cooler and dry with
only a little precipitation early in the week. Most of the county
received between a trace and 0.3" of rain during the reporting
period. Temperatures cooled considerably and the majority of the
county receive the first killing frost as temperatures dipped into the
lower 30's several mornings this week. Most crops have been
harvested at this time with some grain corn and cool season
vegetables left to be harvested. Christmas tree growers welcomed
the cooler temperatures to help with needle retention once harvest
begins in a week or two. Pastures are still holding fairly well due to
the cooler temps and moisture received the previous couple
weeks.
Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension

The fall season is upon us and much needed rain was received
last week. Small grain planting has started and pasture renovation
has started.
Charles Mitchell – Franklin County Extension

The period was mostly dry with rain late in the period.
Approximately .25" has fallen as of Monday morning (Oct. 23)
early. Light Frost in the river valleys occurred early in the period
with lows in the mid-30s and highs in 60s and 70s.
Robert Hawk - Swain County Extension

Good harvest conditions continue. Hearing some good yields on
cotton, peanuts, and sweet potatoes, and soybeans to this point.
Not many farmers are planning to plant wheat, but current dry
topsoil will limit planting.
Roy Thagard – Greene County Extension

Romes, Granny Smith, and Pink Lady are left to harvest of the
apple crop. Grain corn and soybeans are still being harvested.
The county experienced the first frost event this week. Pepper
and Tomato production has ended. Strawberry plants have all
been planted with about 3 weeks of establishment growth.
Karen Blaedow - Henderson County Extension

Soybean harvest remains in full swing, with good yields being
reported. Hay is in abundance this year, going into winter, and
pastures generally look good.
Stephen Bishop – Cleveland SWCD

Pastures in bad shape cattlemen feeding hay. Corn harvest is
wrapping up. Soybeans harvest is slow. Wheat planting is slow
due to dry weather.
Gary Cross – Person County Extension

Dry weather allowed soybean harvest to continue. Cooler temps
however slow drying and prevent early morning harvest. Little to
no wheat has been planted.
Daniel Simpson - Pamlico County Extension

Tobacco harvest is about complete. Peanut, soybean, and cotton
harvest continues. Most growers have had a good run on harvest
with yields above average. Small grain planting has begun. A little
rain out of the next system would be great.
Mac Malloy - Robeson County Extension

For the full report, click here.