Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 7/2/18


SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT 
VS ST A SS
Topsoil Moisture 5 32 60 3
Subsoil Moisture 2 20 75 3
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus


DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
6.0 5.6 5.8 4.9

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Apples 0 11 32 56 1
Corn 3 16 30 45 6
Cotton 3 7 23 56 11
Hay 1 13 45 37 4
Pasture 1 8 42 47 2
Peaches 0 14 23 60 3
Peanuts 0 1 25 60 14
Sorghum 0 23 35 41 1
Soybeans 0 7 38 50 5
Sweet Potatoes 0 2 51 45 2
Tobacco: Burley 1 2 40 51 6
Tobacco: Flue-cured 1 5 28 61 5
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.

PLANTED:
Sorghum 94 90 97 77
Soybeans 93 89 92 89
Sweet Potatoes 95 86 92 90
Tobacco: Burley 94 86 91 95
PHENOLOGICAL:
Soybean Emerged 85 78 85 81
Corn Silking 68 47 75 74
Corn Dough 10 n/a 14 14
Cotton Squaring 58 38 51 48
Peanuts Pegging 34 18 30 27
Soybeans Blooming 14 n/a 11 n/a
HARVESTED: Wheat 1 3 25 57 14
Barley 87 77 95 86
Hay: Second Cutting 24 11 17 22
Oats 80 70 96 83
Peaches 19 17 25 23
Wheat 87 75 91 86

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS

Extreme heat and areas that have not had an inch of rain in 30
days. Several acres of corn has lost yield potential due to the dry
weather. Tim Britton – Johnston County Extension

Rainfall has been above normal this last period with 1"-2"
widespread from afternoon and frontal Thundershowers. Soil is
"Average WET." Temperatures are above normal with
temperatures approaching near 90 F in valleys and 60s for nighttime
lows. Robert Hawk – Swain County Extension

Moisture conditions across the region are extremely variable.
Some areas have received excessive rainfall and have had issues
with getting stands. Others are extremely dry and crops are
suffering. Disease is increasing rapidly in tobacco. The extreme
heat has effected corn pollination, especially in the dry areas.
Georgia Love – Agronomist Region 5

Franklin County has become extremely dry over the last week with
no rain and temperatures reaching into the mid 90's. Tobacco is
struggling in areas, corn has started to twist and soybeans have
slowed down growing. Pastures are starting dry down some as
well. Charles Mitchell – Franklin County Extension

Hay harvest is in full swing. Scattered afternoon showers have
helped with the dry conditions, but has made harvesting hay
challenging. Vegetable crops are doing good.
Julia Houck – Ashe-Alleghany County Extension

Showers continue to hinder field work. Most soybean acres have
been planted, but a few remain behind due to wetness. Sunshine
and warmer temps this week have helped most crops.
Daniel Simpson – Pamlico County Extension

Another big rain. Crops not at all in good condition over all
extreme heat has returned.
Gary Cross – Person County Extension

Afternoon thunderstorms predominated the week with some
localized heavy precipitation and isolated flash flooding. Most of
the county received between 3"-5" of rain for the week.
Temperatures were on the warm side with highs mainly in the mid
80's. Due to wet soil conditions, field activity was limited.
Stanley Holloway - Yancey County Extension

Rains stopped long enough for farmers to finish harvesting wheat.
Yields were good but test weights were down. Rains delayed
harvest and there was significant kernel loss in some fields. Corn
is looking better with dryer weather and fertilizer added but yield
damage from early continuous rains will still have a significant
impact on this crop. Soybean planting has been delayed to the
end of June. Many farmers are catching up trying to get them
planted but showers and thunderstorms continue to pop up and
keep field conditions wet.
Mark Seitz/Tim Matthews – Pender County Ext

Excessive heat and subpar rainfall amounts are beginning to
reduce pollination and grain fill of corn. Tobacco is beginning to
flower. Taylor Williams – Moore County Extension

Drying conditions are allowing cabbage, Irish potato and wheat
harvest to continue. Also, soybeans are being planted.
Al Wood – Pasquotank County Extension

We are extremely dry. Crops are in drought stress.
Norman Harrell – Wilson County Extension

For the full report, click here.