Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 4/12/21

CROP SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 11, 2021
SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Subsoil Moisture 0 5 78 17
Topsoil Moisture 1 5 79 15
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
5.8             3.9             6.0            5.5 

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Barley 1 14 56 26 3
Oats 0 1 46 53 0
Pasture 1 4 29 62 4
Wheat 5 12 34 44 5

CROP PROGRESS PERCENT – WITH COMPARISONS 
This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Yr. Avg. 
PLANTED:
Corn 16 N/A 25 20
PHENOLOGICAL:
Barley Headed 16 N/A 25 N/A

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FIELD
Temperatures were colder than average the first part of the week
and warmer than average the latter half. Zero inches of rainfall for
period, but pastures are green with slow growth. Freeze and frost
challenged strawberry producers, but unsure of any damage. –
JACKSON, SWAIN

Wheat was not damaged by freeze; however, some low-lying
areas may have been affected. Tobacco greenhouses are
showing target spot disease issues, Pastures are improving, and
fertilizer is being applied. – PERSON

Dryer conditions allowed for field work. Planting is starting and will
continue next week and beyond. Fields are dry enough to plant
but will need some rain by the end of next week for optimal
growth. – WAKE

Dry conditions through Saturday allowed corn planting and other
field activities. Growers took advantage of the unseasonal warm
temperatures to plant a significant amount of corn. – PAMLICO

Weekend rainfall totals throughout the county varied from .5-1.5
inches. – JOHNSTON

As soil began to dry, field work activities this week included
soil fumigation for tobacco, lime/fertilizer application, cultivation,
and planting of corn. More corn is anticipated to be planted this
week if rains do not slow progress. – CRAVEN

With the weather a little on the dry side, planting conditions are
good as corn planting is ongoing throughout the county. –
BLADEN

Dry conditions prevailed this week and low temperatures dropped
to 18°F in remote parts of the county. Some blueberry crop loss
occurred due to equipment failure with the overhead irrigation
used for frost protection. Damage to wheat was not likely severe
as it hasn’t headed yet. Growers this week began planting corn
across the county. – PENDER

Recent rains have maintained soil moisture levels adequately for
planting. Wheat is beginning to head and the crop is looking
better than expected given the winter weather conditions. Corn
planting is going strong. – ROBESON 

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