Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 9/11/18

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Topsoil Moisture 4 34 58 4
Subsoil Moisture 1 19 75 5
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 6.6 5.7 5.6

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Corn 8 20 31 35 6
Cotton 3 10 25 53 9
Hay 1 8 54 33 4
Pasture 1 10 41 46 2
Peanuts 3 4 25 58 10
Sorghum 2 8 34 51 5
Soybeans 3 7 27 51 8
Sweet Potatoes 0 6 38 43 13
Tobacco: Burley 1 2 44 52 1
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:
Corn Dent 96 93 98 97
Corn Mature 90 80 87 90
Cotton Bolls Opening 43 25 33 36
Soybeans Setting Pods 92 83 91 89
Soybeans Dropping Leaves 17 7 17 13 
HARVESTED:
Apples 60 47 49 48
Corn for Grain 43 27 53 49
Corn for Silage 84 74 71 74
Hay: Second Cutting 94 91 97 89
Hay: Third Cutting 47 36 46 46
Peaches 95 91 92 93
Tobacco: Burley 28 19 29 42
Tobacco: Flue-cured 67 58 65 67

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS
The tobacco crop is quick to ripen now. Hurricane Florence has got
farmers working quickly to get the crop in. We are expected to get
upwards of 10 inches of rain which could be devastating to the
remaining crop. Rain is much needed, but not in these quantities. The
soybean crop could benefit from rain and cooler temperatures but not
flooding. Charles Mitchell – Franklin County Extension

Soybean, peanut, and cotton have been negatively affected by the
recent weeks of dry weather. The forecasted path of Hurricane
Florence is not looking good for NC. The remaining corn and tobacco
crops are going to be very vulnerable to wind damage. Possible
flooding will be an issue for all crops and livestock operations. Mac
Malloy - Robeson County Extension

Had a few weeks of good dry weather. Farmers are picking corn as
hard as they can. Some areas of the county could use a rain shower.
Blake Sandlin - Duplin County Extension

The ONLY good thing about Hurricane Florence coming is it has been
very dry in Pender County for a month. Hopefully that will minimize
flooding. Corn harvest is going well but will likely not finish before
Wednesday. Some very good corn yields have been harvested in
spite of the extremely wet months of May and July. The 13,000-15,000
acres of soybeans planted across Pender County generally look good
but are tall and severe lodging with the upcoming storm is possible.
Blueberry growers are irrigating to keep plants healthy. Mark SeitzTim
Matthews – Pender County

Dry conditions this week a little corn being harvested. Tobacco
harvest is proceeding, grass hay being cut for 2nd time, soybeans
under stress due to heat. Gary Cross – Person County Ext

Dry weather has continued and helped with corn harvest. Early
soybeans will need harvest this week or next, but will be hindered by
the approaching hurricane. Daniel Simpson – Pamlico Ext

The pattern of scattered afternoon thunderstorms continued with
highly variable rainfall amounts across the county. Some areas
received little to no rainfall for the week while others received up to
2". Temperatures were above normal for this time of year. Most of the
remaining second cutting hay was harvested this week and burley
tobacco and corn silage harvest began.
Stanley Holloway - Yancey County Extension

Harvest of tobacco continues but progress is limited by barn space.
Crop leaves are simply maturing and decaying faster than we have
the ability to cure. Corn harvest showing average to slightly above
average yield for limited fields harvested to date. Earlier planted
cotton bolls 50% open but later plantings vary from less than 5%
open bolls to full bloom. Soybeans have tremendous variance in crop
stage, growth and yield potential due to great variance in planting
date. Peanut crops appear good to excellent but some diseases are
beginning to develop. All farmers are closely watching the tropical
storm systems and working diligently to harvest and prepare for
potential storm impacts.
Mike Carroll - Craven County Extension

Farmers were hoping to get caught up with harvest this week, but
conditions are changing with the forecasted hurricane. Tobacco yields
are variable, as is quality and price. Soybeans are improving in
quality, but low areas are showing disease pressure, likely brought on
by environmental stress through the growing season. High humidity
hasn't helped any. Pastures are in good shape, and hay harvest
continues. Drying conditions haven't been that great with the high
humidity we have experienced. Wheat planting hasn't started yet.
Paul Westfall - Granville Extension

Conditions in most of Cleveland County have turned very dry. Corn
harvest is underway. Stephen Bishop – Cleveland SWCD

For the full report, click here.