Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 4/19/21


CROP SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 18, 2021
SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Subsoil Moisture 0 14 79 7
Topsoil Moisture 0 6 88 6
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus


DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
6.4 5.8 4.7 5.0
CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Barley 1 14 51 32 2
Oats 0 1 48 51 0
Pasture 1 4 27 66 2
Wheat 1 13 43 38 5
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 40 16 46 40
PHENOLOGICAL:
Barley Headed 35 16 38 17
Corn Emerged 13 N/A 19 N/A
Winter Wheat Headed 10 N/A 28 20

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FIELD
Strawberries look good despite the hard freezes experienced
a couple of weeks ago. This week, temperatures were
near normal from lows in the 30s to highs in the 70s. Rainfall was
below normal with only "trace" amounts up to .10". Pastures look
well with the cool season grasses growing. Fields are being
prepared for May gardens and row crops. – JACKSON, SWAIN

A few growers have started planting tobacco; however, this week’s
cooler temperatures have some holding off going into the field as
early as initially planned. Strawberries have started to ripen.
Stands should be opening this week. – FRANKLIN, HALIFAX,
NASH

This week’s cool temperatures and mid-week rain slowed
progress of corn being planted and tobacco being set. – PERSON

Limited rain has helped dry soils so field work can continue. Corn
is being planted. In general, pastures and the wheat crop look
good. Some rain will help cereal crops and boost corn
germination, but we are not yet dry. – WAKE

Buttercups are coming into full bloom. Area pastures are not in the
best condition. – RANDOLPH

Lots of corn planting this week. Conditions are quickly drying out
and we could use some rain. – CLEVELAND

Soil moisture remains sufficient for current crops. Wheat
is approaching heading, corn and soybeans have been planted
and in areas some have emerged. If we have no rain this week,
we will see much progress in corn and soybean crops. Cabbage
and Irish potatoes look very good. – PASQUOTANK

Dry weather has allowed most corn fields to be planted. Rain will
be needed this coming week. – PAMLICO

Good week for field work. Corn planting progressed and
soil conditions have been good for emergence. – JOHNSTON

Rapid progress has been made this week in both field
preparations and planting. Wheat stage is 10-14 days behind
normal and is 30-40% more likely to result in lower than average
yields. Expect tobacco transplanting to begin this week. –
CRAVEN

Some growers are beginning to wrap up corn planting and will be
moving on to planting other crops. We are getting drier by the day
which has farmers planting on a much earlier schedule than last
year. The area could use some rain. Pasture conditions
look good, as do rye and wheat crops. Tobacco planting will
probably begin this week. – BLADEN

Corn planting continues in most areas and tobacco is being set
as well. Strawberry harvest looks good so far. Topsoil is starting
to dry out in areas. – ROBESON

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