Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 11/17/14


GENERAL: There were 5.7 days suitable for field work for the week ending Nov. 16, 2014. Topsoil moisture was rated 2% very short, 22% short, 72% adequate, and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2% very short, 19% short, 76% adequate and 3% surplus. The state again received very little rainfall with temperatures holding well below normal. Over half of the state is showing abnormally dry conditions. Reported crop progress data for the week showed soybeans harvest at 53%. Cotton harvested at 77%, sweet potato harvest is at 94% and peanut harvest is reported at 92%. Small grain planting continued to progress with barley reported at 80%, wheat at 67% and oats planted at 61%.  

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COUNTY EXTENSTION AGENT REPORTS
Weather this week has been very good for Christmas tree harvest. Julia Houck – Ashe-Alleghany County Extension  

An overall dry week with only a few areas of the county receiving trace amounts of precipitation. Temperatures were highly variable with highs ranging from lower 70's early week to upper 20's and lows ranging from mid 30's to lower teens. Christmas tree harvest is now in full swing. Other farm activities included tending livestock, stripping burley tobacco, and winterizing equipment. Stanley Holloway - Yancey County Extension  

Cotton and soybean harvest continues with excellent yields in both crops on most of the acreage. Cotton harvest will average close to two bales in the region. Soybeans are yielding from 30 to 50+ bushels per acre. Weather has been very good for harvest this week.  Colby Lambert – Agronomist Region 9  

Soybens are still being harvested. Yield reports are good. Double crop beans should be ready for harvest soon. So far they have been too high in moisture. Some hay is being fed, but pastures are holding up well late in the season. Wheat planting is just about completed now that tobacco harvest is finished. Farmers have finally been able to focus on other crops. Paul Westfall - Granville County Extension  

Wheat planting has gone well. Soybean harvest going well as weather permits.  Tommy R Grandy - Currituck County Extension  
Some growers are finishing soybean harvest. Raining weather is delaying others. Most wheat has been planted but far fewer acres than previous year. Daniel Simpson - Pamlico County Extension  

Getting some needed rainfall for small grain emergence, but also below normal temperatures.  Tim Hall - Agronomist Region 4  
Field conditions the past few weeks have allowed for good harvest schedules. Topsoil moisture has been extremely low, slowing growth of small grain plantings. Mac Malloy – Robeson County Extension  

CROP PROGRESS PERCENT – WITH COMPARISONS   
This Week  Last Week  Last Year  5-Year Avg  
PHENOLOGICAL:      
Wheat Emerged 48 31 38 35        
PLANTED:      
Barley 80 70 91 88  
Oats 61 53 93 84  
Wheat 67 51 73 67      
HARVESTED:      
Cotton 77 65 59 74  
Hay 3rd cutting 93 91 88 93  
Peanuts Threshed 92 86 100 96  
Sorghum 53 48 80 n/a  
Soybeans 53 41 47 50  
Sweet Potato 94 90 95 96        

CROP CONDITION PERCENT  
VP P F G EX  
Barley 0 0 23 71 6  
Oats 0 0 20 77 3  
Pasture  2 12 38 44 4  
Sorghum 0 2 28 54 16  
Soybeans 1 4 19 58 18  
Wheat 0 0 24 69 7        
VP = Very Poor  P = Poor  F = Fair  G = Good   EX = Excellent    

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT  
VS ST A SS  
Topsoil Moisture 2 22 72 4  
Subsoil Moisture 2 19 76 3        
VS= Very Short   ST = Short   A = Adequate   SS = Surplus