Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 12/1/14

GENERAL: There were 3.1 days suitable for field work for the week ending Nov. 30, 2014. Topsoil moisture was rated 1% very short, 7% short, 76% adequate, and 16% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1% very short, 9% short, 80% adequate, and 10% surplus. The state received widespread rainfall this week with some areas receiving over 3.0 inches. Average temperatures stayed around normal for this time of the year. Reported crop progress data for the week showed soybeans harvest at 76% and cotton harvested at 92%. Small grain planting made some progress with barley reaching 95% and wheat 88%.  

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COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORT
Another significant snow event occurred over the Thanksgiving holiday bringing 3-6" of snow over most of the county. Temperatures were highly variable for the week with above average temps early and late in the week and below average temps mid week. Main farm activities included tending livestock, harvesting an selling Christmas trees, and stripping burley tobacco. Stanley Holloway - Yancey County Extension  

Soybean harvest continues as well as cotton harvest. Yields have been excellent for the season. This week, rain has slowed progress for harvest, but small grains will benefit from the rain. Colby Lambert – Agronomist Region 9  

Summing up the year we feel very fortunate. Rainfall very much below average but came at the right times for corn and soybeans both. Cotton had enough time to recover from early drought. Low early hay production was supplemented by later harvests that were above average and stockpiled fescue has reduced the need for hay. Several unique events in 2014 such as Southern leaf blight of soybeans and first case of economic damage from brown marmorated stink bug in field crop (cotton) Steve Gibson - Catawba County Extension  

Heavy rains Sunday-Wednesday last week stopped all field work. Dry soil conditions prior to this storm prevented any flooding of wheat. A small percentage of soybeans are still in the field waiting harvest. Mark Seitz - Pender County Extension  
Multiple days of much needed rain early in the week halted field activities. Three to four inches was reported across the county which should improve growing conditions for small grains. Weather outlook for the coming week should be good for soybean harvest to resume. Mac Malloy - Robeson County Extension  

CROP PROGRESS PERCENT – WITH COMPARISONS   
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg  
PHENOLOGICAL:      
Wheat Emerged 75 62 70 61        
PLANTED:      
Barley 95 90 100 95  
Oats 100 75 100 95  
Wheat 88 82 91 86        
HARVESTED:      
Cotton 92 87 87 91  
Sorghum 65 58 98 n/a  
Soybeans 76 66 79 73              

CROP CONDITION PERCENT  
VP P F G EX  
Barley 0 0 26 68 6  
Oats 0 0 20 77 3  
Pasture  2 13 40 41 4  
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 1 7 76 16  
Subsoil Moisture 1 9 80 10        
VS= Very Short   ST = Short   A = Adequate   SS = Surplus