Source:  USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 5/6/19

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Subsoil Moisture 0 13 76 11
Topsoil Moisture 0 12 76 12
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 5.4 6.3 5.1
CROP CONDITION PERCENT 
VP P F G EX
Barley 0 4 29 66 1
Corn 0 1 16 67 16
Oats 1 4 38 56 1
Pasture 1 4 30 62 3
Wheat 8 10 29 41 12
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:
Corn 73 53 78 81
Cotton 17 n/a 12 10
Peanuts 16 n/a 14 n/a
Soybeans 14 n/a 12 n/a
Tobacco: Flue-cured 47 24 45 48
PHENOLOGICAL:
Barley Headed 65 49 66 60
Corn Emerged 50 23 55 59
Wheat Headed 66 41 71 75
HARVESTED:
Hay: First Cutting 20 n/a 15 13

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS
Storms and rain showers late in the week limited field activity.
Precipitation levels were variable across the county with most
areas receiving between 1" to 2.8". Temps were warm for this time
of year with highs mainly in the upper 70's-lower 80's and lows
mainly in the mid 40's. Pastures and hay crops are responding
nicely to fertilization, strawberries are just beginning to ripen, and
corn planting is beginning
Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension

Field work continued when soil conditions were dry enough. Lots
of wet areas in fields. Pastures are in good shape finally, with lots
of grazing available. Weather conditions have not been suitable
for hay operations
Paul Westfall - Granville County Extension

Good days for planting tobacco , corn soybeans, hay cutting
progressing. Excellent weather for planting.
Gary Cross – Person County Extension

Less frequent rain events and small amount is allowing fields to
dry so that farmers can plant corn, and some soybeans. Most of
the wheat is heading and looks reasonably good, especially when
you consider the wet weather we have had for much of the
growing season so far. Cabbage and Irish potatoes are doing very
well.
Al Wood – Pasquotank County Extension

Great progress in planting of corn, cotton and soybean made due
to almost a week of no rains. Transplanted tobacco proceeding.
To date, TSW in tobacco is very low.
Mike Carroll – Craven Co Extension

Tobacco transplanting is going well, some areas received much
needed rain on the crop after the dry, windy conditions were
tough on the newly transplanted seedlings. There are extra plants
available. The rains were also welcome on the small grain crops.
Strawberries are yielding, tasting and selling well.
Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7

Weather conditions this past week allowed for field work that is
helping many farmers begin to catch up to some degree.
Cathy Herring – Central Crops Research Station

Field conditions allowed a good week of planting. Some tobacco
has been reset due to wind/sand blown damage. Corn planting
continues. Good strawberry season so far for most. Weekend
showers helped replenish topsoil moisture.
Mac Malloy – Robeson County Extension

Rainfall was near average at 1" with temperatures above normal.
"Greenup" continues with beautiful and near average spring
conditions.
Robert Hawk – Swain County Extension

Producers have started to plant corn and cabbage. Pastures and
hay crops are looking good. Cattle producers are turning cattle
out on summer pastures.
Julia Houck – Ashe/Alleghany County Extension

Weather pattern remains dry and crops could use a timely
shower.
Daniel Simpson – Pamlico County Extension

For the full report, click here.