Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 11/3/14


GENERAL: There were 5.7 days suitable for field work for the week ending Nov. 2, 2014. Topsoil moisture was rated 1% very short, 19% short, 76% adequate, and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1% very short, 16% short, 79% adequate, and 4% surplus. Many central and western counties received light rain and most temperatures were slightly above normal for the week. Reported crop progress data for the week showed soybeans leaf drop at 93% and harvest at 30%. Cotton harvested at 50%. Reports for corn harvested for grain rose to 96%. Burley tobacco harvested is at 93%. Sweet potato harvest is at 86%, peanut harvest rose to 80%. Apple harvest rose to 94%. Small grain planting continued to progress with barley reported at 58%, wheat at 37% and oats planted at 46%.  

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COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS
We had a taste of winter late in the week as temperatures dropped into the 20's and we received the first snow of the season. Snowfall amounts were highly variable with most valleys receiving 2-4 inches and upward of a foot of snow in higher elevations. Main farm activities included tending livestock and preparing for Christmas tree harvest. Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension  

Harvest activities continued with many field finally being finished with tobacco. Soybean harvest is picking up, along with wheat planting following tobacco. Cool season grasses are still growing well, and there is still some hay being harvested. Pastures are in pretty good shape, but with projected freezing temperatures, grass growth will slow. Some farmers are feeding some hay, but pastures are still supplying good amounts of forage. Paul Westfall – Granville County Extension  

Peanut harvest is continuing, with very good yields in most areas. Soybeans look to also be very good with the leaves now off of them. Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7  

Wheat planting going well. Most all full season soybeans have been harvested, and double-cropped soybeans are being harvested as they reach maturity. Soybean harvest has gone well to date Tommy Grandy– Currituck County Extension  

Corn harvest is almost complete. Soybean harvest is progressing. Cotton has yet to be harvested. Some wheat is being planted. Weather continues to be favorable for all conditions. Daniel Simpson– Pamlico County Extension  

Tobacco harvest was completed this week for all farmers. A few tobacco farmers used neighbors barns to get remaining tobacco in before predicted frost this weekend. Sweetpotato harvest is finished or nearing completion. Many H2A workers boarded buses this week heading for home. Cattle farms busy planting cool season grasses and overseeding warm season pastures. Brian Parrish –Harnett County Extension    

CROP PROGRESS PERCENT – WITH COMPARISONS    
This Week   Last Week   Last Year  5-Year Avg  
PHENOLOGICAL:      
Soybeans % Leaf Drop 93 85   93      94  
Wheat Emerged 21 13 13 12      
PLANTED:      
Barley 58 41 62 68  
Oats 46 36 74 63  
Wheat 37 22 35 34        
HARVESTED:      
Apples 94 90 88 93  
Corn for Grain 96 92 98 98  
Cotton 50 34 28 49  
Hay 3rd cutting 90 87 79 85  
Peanuts Threshed 80 64 91 83  
Sorghum 43 33 69 n/a  
Soybeans 30 21 18 26  
Sweet Potato 86 78 79 85  
Tobacco: Burley 93 88 100 100        

CROP CONDITION PERCENT  
VP P F G EX  
Barley 0 0 10 86 4  
Cotton 0 3 23 56 18  
Pasture  1 10 36 47 6  
Sorghum 0 2 28 54 16  
Soybeans 1 4 19 60 16        
VP = Very Poor  P = Poor  F = Fair  G = Good   EX = Excellent  

 
SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT  
VS ST A SS  
Topsoil Moisture 1 19 76 4  
Subsoil Moisture 1 16 79 4      
VS= Very Short   ST = Short   A = Adequate   SS = Surplus