Source: USDA NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 9/11/14

August Weather Summary: The month of August started out wet with wide spread showers alleviating some of the dry conditions experienced during the months of June and July. The southeastern areas of the state received the bulk of the rain as some locations reported receiving between 4-6 inches, causing delays in field activities. Despite the rain, areas in the Piedmont continued to report abnormally dry conditions.  Temperatures remained lower than average except for the week ending August 24th as daytime temperatures had risen to the mid to upper nineties in most areas. Corn, cotton and soybean progress looked to be on target with the projected five year averages. Peaches and apples were being harvested as well as tobacco and corn. Farmers were mowing either second or third hay crop depending on location.   Statewide topsoil moisture levels as of August 31st rated 4% very short, 28% short, 62% adequate and 6% surplus.  

Corn for grain
Yield is forecast at 138 bushels per acre, down 6 bushels from last year’s yield of 142 bushels per acre, but up 6 from the August 1 forecast. 
Production is forecast to total 110.4 million bushels, down 11% from last year.
Harvested acres are forecast at 800,000 acres, down from 870,000 acres from 2013.

 
Cotton
Yield is forecast at 950 pounds per acre, up 151 pounds from the 2013 yield of 799 pounds per acre.  
Production is forecast at 910,000 bales, up 19% from last year’s production of 766,000 bales.   Harvested acres are expected to total 460,000 acres, equal to the 460,000 acres harvested in 2013.

Peanuts
Yield per acre is forecast at 4,000 pounds, up 100 pounds per acre from 2013.
Production is forecast at 372 million pounds, up 18% from last year’s production.  
Harvested acres are projected at 93,000 acres, up 12,000 acres from 2013.    

Soybeans
Yield is forecast to average 37 bushels per acre, up 4 bushels from last year’s yield of 33 bushels.  
Production is forecast to total 61.8 million bushels, up 32% from last year’s production of 46.9 million bushels.  
Harvested acres are projected at 1.67 million acres, up 18% from last year.  

Flue-cured tobacco  
Yield per acre is forecast at 2,300 pounds, up 300 pounds from 2013 yield of 2,000 pounds
Production is forecast at 416 million pounds, 16% higher than the 360 million pounds produced in 2013.  
Acres for harvest are estimated at 181,000 up 1,000 acres from last year.  

Burley Tobacco
Yield per acre is forecast at 1,900 pounds, up 500 pounds from last year’s yield of 1,400.  Production is forecast at 3.42 million pounds, up 29% from the 2.66 million pounds produced in 2013.  
Acres for harvest are estimated at 1,800, down 100 acres from last year.

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