Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 5/18/20


SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Subsoil Moisture 0 12 81 7
Topsoil Moisture 1 17 75 7
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               5.2               6.1           5.1 

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Apples 0 0 2 97 1
Barley 0 1 11 86 2
Corn 0 3 17 70 10
Oats 0 3 24 72 1
Pasture 0 5 20 66 9
Peaches 0 1 21 75 3
Tobacco Flue-Cured 1 4 31 59 5
Wheat 1 6 18 60 15
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 95 89 92 94
Cotton 34 14 49 45
Peanuts 31 14 41 38
Sorghum 17 N/A 17 18
Soybeans 33 17 33 29
Sweet Potatoes 11 N/A 17 13
Tobacco: Flue-Cured 80 64 76 80
Tobacco: Burley 13 N/A 14 20
PHENOLOGICAL:
Barley Headed 94 86 87 84
Corn Emerged 87 72 77 84
Soybeans Emerged 16 N/A 16 12
Wheat Headed 96 93 87 93
HARVESTED
Hay: First Cutting 51 27 51 40

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FIELD

JACKSON/SWAIN - Weather was warm and drier allowing some
to cut their first hay cut. Silage corn is being planted with some
corn plants emerging. Rainfall was below average.

FRANKLIN/HALIFAX/NASH - Tobacco planting was almost
completed last week. Hay balers were rolling with good dry
weather pattern. Wheat starting to dry down some, but yield
potential is uncertain. Soybeans are being planted slowly as
tobacco planting is ending. Vegetable crops look better.

GRANVILLE - A lot of hay was baled during the week. About 60%
of tobacco has been transplanted. Some soybeans were planted.
A lot of corn was frosted, but a lot of that should recover.

PERSON - Planting of tobacco & corn moving forward. Hard
freeze earlier in the week caused some corn and tobacco damage
in low areas of the field. Some hay being cut but slow progress.

ROBESON - Dry weather allowed full week of field activities.
Crops are good overall. Some issues reported of poor soybean
emergence in areas of heavy rain. Wheat harvest likely to start
next week.

PENDER - Patchy frost injury in wheat could reduce yield
potential. Overall wheat looks very good and harvest could begin
later next week. Strawberry harvest progressing with good quality.
Blueberry harvest began slowly but expected to increase. Corn
looks good with adequate moisture throughout the county, but
need warmer temperatures. Soybean planting is underway with
good planting conditions across the county.

RANDOLPH - Corn was only crop with reports of frost damage.
Nothing widespread or major.

MOORE – Extent of potential crop damage from the very late cold
snap last week is still being assessed. No damage reported yet.
Continuing to monitor small grain, small fruit and tobacco crops
for setbacks though.

CLEVELAND - Lots of fieldwork was done this week with the first
good window for cutting and baling hay.

RICHMOND - Have not received rain in about 10 days. Hoping
forecasted rains materialize.

EDGECOMBE – Dry weather stress is beginning to show on
crops. No cold injury reported on feed grains but some damage
reported on tobacco. Recovery expected.

PAMLICO - Drying weather has accelerated soybean planting.
Soil moisture is running low, but forecasted rains for next week
will help. Nitrogen is being applied on corn.
Little to no cold injuries were seen from prior weeks.

CRAVEN - Planting of soybean and cotton due to cooler temps.

BRUSNWICK/HOKE - Excellent strawberry season with very
good production and high customer demand. Wheat crop is
drying down quickly and will be ready for harvest soon. Tobacco
impacted by windy conditions caused replanting of some fields.
Cold night time temperatures impacted soybean germination.

BLADEN - Soybeans being planted, but peanut planting
delayed due to soil temps, and drier conditions.

For the full report, click here.