Source: USDA's NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 8/3/20


CROP SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 2, 2020

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Subsoil Moisture 6 33 57 4
Topsoil Moisture 13 36 48 3
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
6.1             6.5             5.9            5.5 

CROP CONDITION PERCENT 
VP P F G EX 
Apples 0 1 22 77 0
Cotton 5 11 34 46 4
Hay 0 4 42 47 7
Pasture 2 10 36 45 7
Peanuts 0 3 28 61 8
Sorghum 2 5 34 53 6
Soybeans 4 11 36 45 4
Sweet Potatoes 1 3 31 59 6
Tobacco: Burley 1 3 42 54 0
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 6 14 32 43 5
Corn Dough 77 69 82 85
Corn Dented 33 24 52 56
Cotton Squaring 95 90 97 96
Cotton Setting Bolls 64 51 79 72
Peanuts Pegging 86 77 93 92
Soybeans Blooming 60 52 57 64
Soybeans Setting Pods 40 35 35 38
Tobacco: Flue-Cured 4 12 40 41 3
HARVESTED
Apples 10 N/A 11 14
Corn for Silage 10 N/A 19 11
Hay: Second Cutting 80 75 80 67
Peaches 62 56 65 62
Tobacco: Flue-Cured 16 11 15 19

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FIELD
Rainfall was near normal with .75"-1.75" from widespread
afternoon showers, some with heavy rainfall. Temperatures
were above normal with typical high humidity and dew
points. - JACKSON / SWAIN

Rain amounts were very inconsistent around the county. -
BURKE

Scattered showers brought short-term relief to mostly hot
and dry weather pattern. – FORSYTH / STOKES / SURRY

Crops are under severe stress. We have had no rain to
amount to anything for about 4 weeks. - PERSON

The hot and dry weather is affecting the corn crop the most,
despite scattered rainfall throughout the week. Pollination
was possibly impacted. - UNION

Heavy rains over part of the county this week limited some
field activities, but provided much needed relief
from drought and heat. Other areas missed the needed
rains and remain in drought conditions. – PAMLICO

Rainfall across the county has improved soil moisture.
However, corn yield reduction in some areas has already
occurred. Weather related cotton square retention has
improved. Heat-related soybean yield loss is a
possibility, but we may have to wait for a few more weeks.
- JOHNSTON

Farmers are preparing for the arrival of tropical
storm system Isaias, including harvest of tobacco.
Excessive heat and low soil moisture persist in most areas
slowing crop growth. A few isolated and widely scattered
rainfall events provided some relief. - CRAVEN

Crops have benefited from scattered showers across the
county. However, high temperatures are depleting
soil moisture and slowing crop growth. Tobacco
harvest continues. – ROBESON

For the full report, click here.