Source:  USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 10/21/19


SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Subsoil Moisture 4 21 74 1
Topsoil Moisture 13 25 58 4
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus


DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
5.1            6.2             5.1           6.2 

CROP CONDITION PERCENT 
VP P F G EX
Cotton 5 12 30 43 10
Pasture 32 36 22 9 1
Soybeans 7 17 29 37 10
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
Barley 16 N/A 22 28
Oats 26 10 30 28
Wheat 13 N/A 10 14
PHENOLOGICAL:
Soybeans Dropping Leaves 93 87 89 82
HARVESTED:
Apples 87 85 88 87
Corn for Grain 94 93 93 93
Cotton Harvested 43 29 28 23
Hay: Third Cutting 81 80 78 81
Peanuts Threshed 65 48 45 42
Sorghum for Grain 64 56 48 51
Soybeans 35 25 22 22
Sweet Potatoes 75 70 59 62
Tobacco: Burley 71 67 82 84

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS

Appreciable rainfall of 1"-1.5" which is slightly above average of
the period. This helped the topsoil moisture greatly. Temperatures
were near average with first light frosts of 30-35F.
Robert Hawk – Jackson/Swain County Extension

Most all areas of the county experienced the first frost, and some
areas the first freeze, of the season as temperatures cooled
considerably this week. The weather system also brought some
much needed moisture to the county with most areas receiving
around 1.5"-2" of rain. Most crops have been harvested with the
exception of some corn for grain. The cooler temps were
welcomed by Christmas tree growers who were concerned with
needle retention on their tree once harvest begins early next
month. Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension

Have received about 2 inches of rain this past week. Was very dry
until this point. Paige Burns – Richmond County Extension

County finally received rainfall after a prolonged period without
rain, resulting in poor pasture conditions for this time of year.
Rachel Owens – Union County Extension

Received much needed rain this week.
Cathy Herring – Central Crops Research Station

Rainfall from Nestor dropped another good rain giving us 2-3
inches for the week.
Tim Britton – Johnston County Extension

Tropical storm Nestor brought some badly needed rain to the
area. Kenny Bailey – Cumberland County Extension

Rain during the week slowed remaining soybean harvest.
Daniel Simpson – Pamlico County Extension

Soybean harvest was delayed somewhat by rainfall during the
week and because many varieties are still not dry. Yields are
average - 30 to 35 bu. - across the county. Strawberry planting is
either complete or finishing this week. Wheat planting work is
beginning this week as well.
Mark Seitz - Pender County Extension

Received much needed rain that should begin small grain
planting in the area. Corn harvest is about wrapped up with
peanut and tobacco harvest soon to follow. Soybean and cotton
harvest continues with decent yields reported.
Mac Malloy – Robeson County Extension

For the full report, click here.