Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 5/17/21


CROP SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK ENDING MAY 16, 2021

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Subsoil Moisture 5 25 68 2
Topsoil Moisture 8 30 60 2
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK 
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
6.0            5.5               6.6           5.3 

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Apples 0 0 82 18 0
Barley 1 14 51 32 2
Corn 0 3 16 66 15
Oats 1 3 45 51 0
Pasture 1 3 51 44 1
Peaches 4 11 14 63 8
Tobacco: Flue-Cured 1 9 33 53 4
Wheat 2 11 40 44 3

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 90 94 93
Cotton 41 25 31 40
Peanuts 33 14 29 35
Sorghum 14 11 16 19
Soybeans 39 26 31 28
Sweet Potatoes 10 N/A 10 13
Tobacco: Flue-Cured 83 69 78 78
Tobacco: Burley 10 N/A 12 15
PHENOLOGICAL:
Barley Headed 92 86 93 85
Corn Emerged 86 77 85 83
Soybeans Emerged 22 N/A 15 12
Winter Wheat Headed 94 85 96 92
HARVESTED:
Hay: First Cutting 37 23 48 39

OBSERVATIONS FROM THE FIELD
Rainfall at 1"-1.5" was above normal while temperatures fell below
normal this week as some areas experienced a very light (35 F)
frost in a few cold pockets. Crops and pastures are good overall. –
JACKSON, SWAIN

With very dry and nominal, farmers continued planting soybean,
corn and tobacco. First hay cuttings are beginning around the
county. – PERSON

Topsoil is very dry and while spotty rains helped little, pasture
regrowth has slowed. Tobacco transplants need rain for continued
growth. – WAKE

Dry conditions continue around the county. Scattered precipitation
allowed soybean planting to restart as many growers had stopped
due to the excessively dry conditions. – PAMLICO

Dry conditions have been reported throughout the county with the
northern areas being affected most. – JOHNSTON

There will not be enough tobacco transplants to replace the areas
that need resetting. – WILSON

Scattered rainfall allowed planting of soybean to resume. Cotton
planting was delayed due to cold night temperatures. Main
activities for corn and tobacco include weed control and
fertilization. Both crops continue to look good. – CRAVEN

Unusually cool weather set in across the area slowing cotton
planting. Topsoil conditions continue to be dry in areas. Corn
stands look good across the county. – ROBESON

For the full report, click here.