Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 3/26/18
DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
3.1 n/a n/a n/a
SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Topsoil Moisture 0 5 52 43
Subsoil Moisture 0 6 58 36
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 2 40 48 9
Oats 1 1 16 78 4
Pasture 2 6 43 46 3
Wheat 0 1 31 62 6
VP = Very Poor P = Poor F = Fair G = Good EX = Excellent
COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS
Wheat, hayfields and pastures have benefited from the 2 inches or more of rain received this past week and everything is turning green. The cooler temperatures have kept growth down but hopefully over the next week temperatures will climb and boost growth. Janice Nicholson - Rutherford County Extension
Most all small grains are maturing well even with the wet conditions. Some growers were late with Nitrogen applications but there has been enough dry conditions for the growers to catch up. Strawberry growers have had a tough time with the weather, several nights of sub-freezing temperatures have necessitated frost protection for 3-4 nights in a row.
Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7
A warm February gave way to a cold, windy and snowy March. Snow storms have caused producers to feed more hay than normal and some producers may be short on hay if the snow storms continue. Julia Houck – Ashe-Alleghany Cnty Extension
Weather conditions for the month of March have been highly variable with temperatures ranging from near 70 to the upper teens. Several snow events occurred during the month, with most bringing accumulations of only a couple of inches; however, two events dropped between 6-8" of snow. Pastures are beginning to green up some; however, livestock producers are still feeding hay. Hay supplies appear to be sufficient. A limited amount of field preparation was done during the month as soil moisture levels would allow. Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension
The multiple cold snaps during the month of March have hurt the peach crop, especially on early varieties. Main season varieties had not bloomed out completely and are in good shape. Barring any more cold weather events, the NC peach crop should be in fair shape for this year.
Brad Thompson - Montgomery County Extension
It has been very windy the past few weeks. Farmers are getting their fields burned down and conditioned for planting season. Most of the wheat is looking pretty good.
Blake Sandlin - Duplin County Extension
Rainfall has been adequate in the past few weeks. Corn planting conditions are fair with 2 inch soil temps at 55 in tilled ground and 53 in no till. Tim Britton – Johnston County Extension
This period has been cooler than normal overall with near normal rainfall of about 4" widespread throughout Jackson and Swain Counties. Robert Hawk – Swain County Extension
Rain, snow, freezing rain, and cold weather have combined to slow winter wheat growth and fertilizer application. Tobacco greenhouses are in good shape. Some are dealing with cold damage along the edges away from the heat source. Pastures are green, but growing slowly. Hay is in short supply..
Paul Westfall – Granville County Extension
Fields are wet after multiple weeks of wet weather. Tobacco Farmers are waiting for some dry weather to start preparing fields for planting in April. Charles Mitchell - Franklin Cnty Extension
Rain, snow, freezing rain, and cold weather have combined to slow winter wheat growth and fertilizer application. Tobacco greenhouses are in good shape, with few problems reported so far. Some are dealing with cold damage along the edges away from the heat source. Pastures are green, but growing slowly. Hay is in short supply. Like wheat, most pastures are too wet to rum application equipment across.
Paul Westfall - Granville County Extension
After warm February, cool and rainy March weather has slowed fieldwork. Fertilizer is still being spread on small grain fields, and some burn down herbicides are being sprayed in preparation for corn planting. Stephen Bishop – Cleveland SWCD
Plant germination in tobacco greenhouse transplant production lower than desired but we should still have adequate plants for anticipated production acres. Preparation for corn planting continues but is delayed by frequent rains. Planting delayed for some due to projected forecast of colder temperatures.
Mike Carroll - Craven County Extension
March has been cold and wet. Small grain is a little behind schedule, strawberries are a little behind schedule, and there has been almost no fieldwork accomplished this month.
Tim Hambrick – Forsyth County Extension
Small grains that have been top-dressed are looking very good. Wet field conditions has limited completion of small grains top-dress and tobacco land preparation efforts.
Brandon Poole – Agronomist Region 8
For the full report, click here.
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