Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 2/26/18

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
3.8 n/a n/a n/a


SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Topsoil Moisture
1 7 55 37
Subsoil Moisture
0 8 69 23
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus

CROP PROGRESS PERCENT – WITH COMPARISONS
This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Yr. Avg.

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Barley
1 1 23 71 4
Oats
0 2 27 70 1
Pasture
3 20 37 37 3
Wheat
0 2 20 74 4
VP = Very Poor P = Poor F = Fair G = Good EX = Excellent

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS
Receiving close to 3 inches of rain has been of benefit to our hay, grazing and wheat producers. With the warmer temperatures grass and wheat are beginning to grow.
Janice Nicholson - Rutherford County Extension

The recent rains and warm conditions have the small grain crops growing and maturing quickly. Strawberries are also maturing a little quicker than usual, with many flowers showing on Camarosa, due to the warmer than normal temperatures.
Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7

Wet conditions in late January and early February delayed split nitrogen applications on small grains.
Cathy Herring – Central Crops Research Station

Weather conditions for February have been highly variable with normal temps early in the month but with record setting warm temps late in the month. Most of the county received between 3.5"-4" of precipitation for the month. Wet soil conditions hindered field activities; however, some fields dried enough this past week to allow producers to plow.
Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension

It has been a wet February. The week of the 19th has seen the warmest and sunniest weather this month. Most, if not all, fields are too wet to work in.
Matthew Leary – Chowan County Extension

A much warmer than usual last few weeks has given small grains an early spring growth. I already see field work to control weeds in winter fallow fields, and it is not March yet. There is good moisture in the soil, but always concern for insects to build up when mild weather persists. Tobacco greenhouse production has begun with good germination to this point.
Roy Thagard – Greene County Extension

February has been wet and warm with 6.00" +/- of rain across Jackson and Swain Counties, which is 1.50" above normal. Record Temperatures were set with many days staying above 50 F for consecutive days and approaching 80 F in the valleys. Pastures are "Greening-Up" with a little growth.
Robert Hawk – Swain County Extension

Warm temperatures have allowed wheat to green up and start growing fast. Fertilizer applications began. Growers are seeding tobacco greenhouses. Warm weather is causing grass to start greening up early, but pastures will not be ready to graze for another month or two. We have been getting much needed rainfall, but ponds are still lower than normal.
Paul Westfall – Granville County Extension

Regular rain and above average temperatures are easing pressure on feed supplies.
Steve Duckett – Buncombe County Extension

With all of the rainfall, it's been tough for grain farmers to get onto fields to topdress nitrogen. Tobacco growers have just finished seeding greenhouses. Cold vegetable crops are being planted. Pastures are starting to green up in just the last two weeks here in Caswell County.
Joey Knight – Caswell County Extension

Very warm weather has everything greening up a lot earlier than normal. Producers are trying to spread fertilizer but wet conditions have limited fieldwork. Some peach trees are already blooming.
Stephen Bishop – Cleveland SWCD

Warm weather has pushed growth on wheat and stands look good at this time. Blueberry growers are also indicating a push on blossom emergence which will create challenges if March weather cools down.
Mark Seitz/Tim Matthews – Pender County Extension

For the full report, click here.