Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 9/8/14

 GENERAL: There were 5.9 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture  was rated 5% very short, 24% short, 66% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2% very short, 20% short, 73% adequate, and 5% surplus. The state received widespread showers during the week with some areas receiving between 1.0 and 2.0 inches of rain. Average temperatures jumped back above normal by 7 to 10 degrees with some areas recording highs around 98 degrees. Reported crop progress data for the week showed soybeans blooming at 93% and leaf drop at 11%. Cotton bolls opening jumped from 18% to 30%.  Reports for corn showed dented at 94%, mature at 87%, harvested for grain at 39% and harvested for silage at 57%. Flue-cured tobacco harvest made progress and moved to 58% while Burley is set at 35% harvested. Sweet potato harvest is at 20%. The second cutting of hay is at 92% with 3rd cutting reported at 60%, peaches harvested at 88% and apple harvest at 53%.  

EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS
Livestock producers are starting to inter-seed grasses into pastures and haylands as well as Fall fertilization for stockpile fescue preparations for winter grazing. Tobacco farmers are continuing to harvest tobacco because we are about a month away from the average frost date here in Caswell County. Home gardeners are beginning to harvest Fall gardens as well as starting to harvest turnip salad that was planted the first week in August. Fall broccoli, collards, lettuces, and other cool-season greens are being planted. Joey Knight – Caswell County Extension  

Tobacco harvest continued. Some fields are finished, and some are just getting started. Soybeans are just starting to turn color in a few fields. Grain sorghum maturity I've varies, with some fields progressing normally and late plantings just starting to head out. Pastures are recovering, but higher than normal temperatures are slowing Fescue growth. Paul Westfall – Granville County Extension  

Some rain but temps in mid 90s decreased benefit. Some of the earliest planted soybeans are affected by a mysterious and unexplained premature leaf drop The drought tolerant crops, cotton and sorghum are not as affected by drought and heat.  Steve Gibson – Catawba County Extension  

Recent hot, dry conditions early in the week were hard on some crops but rains during the week helped the condition of crops still maturing. in some areas, disease is taking a toll on the tobacco crop, forcing some growers to take the crop to limit disease losses. Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7  

Rain showers in the region have provided much need moisture for the soybean, cotton and cabbage crop. Corn harvest is underway and corn yields have been generally been excellent. Farmers are applying pesticides for insects and foliar diseases for soybeans when needed. We are having the most Frogeye leaf spot in soybean I have ever seen.  Al Wood – Pasquotank County Extension  

Dry conditions the last few weeks have taken a toll on what was looking like an above average soybean crop. Rain (1-2" in some parts) over the weekend has brought some much needed relief. Cotton crop is starting to cut out with anticipation of some defoliation treatments going out in the next week. Tobacco harvest is still at full swing with good reports on yield. Hopefully, the recent rains will be able to push hay fields so producers can get another cutting with below average production so far this year. Mac Malloy – Robeson County Extension   

CROP PROGRESS PERCENT – WITH COMPARISONS   
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg  
PHENOLOGICAL:      
Soybeans % Blooming 93 89 92 97  
Soybeans % Setting Pods 80 69 65 81  
Soybeans % Leaf Drop 11 n/a  n/a n/a  
Corn % Dented 94 91 100 99  
Corn % Mature 87 78 93      93  
Cotton % Bolls Opening 30 18 18 44
HARVESTED:      
Apples 53 47 36 36  
Corn for Grain 39 22 33 42  
Corn for Silage 57 50 80 85  
Hay 2nd cutting 92 90 79 90  
Hay 3rd cutting 61 54 27 35  
Peaches 88 85 95 95  
Sweet Potato 20 13 n/a n/a  
Tobacco: Burley 35 30 77 58  
Tobacco: Flue-cured 58 48 81 64      

 
CROP CONDITION PERCENT  
VP P F G E X  
Corn 3 12 25 43 17  
Cotton 0 4 24 59 13  
Pasture  1 12 38 41 8  
Peanuts 0 1 18 66 15  
Sorghum 0 2 27 56 15  
Soybeans 2 4 23 58 13  
Sweet Potatoes 0 1 15 69 15  
Tobacco: Burley 1 1 29 43 26        
VP = Very Poor  P = Poor  F = Fair  G = Good   EX = Excellent  

     
SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT  
VS ST A SS  
Topsoil Moisture 5 24 66 5  
Subsoil Moisture 2 20 73 5        
VS= Very Short   ST = Short   A = Adequate   SS = Surplus  

For the full report, click here.