Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 4/6/16

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS
Topsoil Moisture 0 2 75 23
Subsoil Moisture 0 1 69 30
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus



CROP PROGRESS PERCENT – WITH COMPARISONS 

(INSUFFICIENT DATA TO PUBLISH)





CROP CONDITION PERCENT
This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Yr. Avg. VP P F G EX
Barley 1 7 27 60 5
Oats 3 12 45 34 6
Pasture 6 22 44 26 2
Wheat 2 12 37 40 9
VP = Very Poor P = Poor F = Fair G = Good EX = Excellent VP = Very Poor P = Poor F = Fair G = Good EX = Excellent

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS
Caswell County had some frost and concerns for fruit growers who did not frost protect. Tobacco growers are trying to get into the fields to start pre-bedding for May planting. Pastures are beginning to grow. Some sweet corn for gardens as well as cold crops were planted this past weekend.
Joey Knight– Caswell County Extension 

As the week progressed crop damage from last Sunday's freeze became more apparent. Oats in some locations were frozen. Grass in some areas had the appearance laying down like it had been mowed. Peach blossoms were frozen. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage suffered some to complete damage in gardens in some locations. 
Carl Pless – Cabarrus County Extension 

The last of the topdress nitrogen was applied to wheat during the week. Farmers busy spraying burn down herbicides. Tobacco greenhouse plants made good growth during the week and not major problems reported.
Richard Rhodes – Bertie county Extension 

Numerous field activities occurring as conditions are allowing for field work. Corn planting is now in full swing, tobacco land is being prepared, and nutrient applications are going out. Wheat crop is progressing although it suffered during extended wet periods without timely nitrogen. Don't expect a bumper wheat crop this year. Rapeseed is blooming and seems to have escaped any cold damage. 
Mac Malloy – Robeson County Extension 

Dryer conditions have allowed tobacco growers to make great progress in getting land fumigated. Tobacco greenhouses generally look good.
Don Nicholson - Agronomist Region 7

Weather conditions early in the week were warm and dry with highs primarily in low to mid 60's and lows in the 40's. It cooled considerably late in the week with moderate rain and temps dipping into the mid 20's. Fortunately it doesn't appear that fruit crops were far enough along to have any significant damage due to frost/freeze. Pastures continue to green up nicely. Main farm activities for the week included tending livestock, fertilizing and liming pastures/hay ground, and field preparations for later planting. 
Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension 

Some progress was made in Region 5 last week with planting corn. However, most fields are still too wet. Tobacco growers are concerned about not being able to fumigate all of the acres needed for the upcoming crop. Strawberries are progressing nicely despite recent cold nights. Most appear to have come through relatively well. A significant amount of injury has been observed on the wheat crop from the previous week's freeze. Most of the damage is sporadic and seems worse in fields with high residue from previous crops. 
Georgia Love – Agronomist Region 5 

Field are starting to get dry enough for farmers to do such field activities as planting corn, preparing corn land for planting, as well as planting I. potatoes, and cabbage. There are still areas that are too wet. Wheat is looking very good as it now is into the jointing phase of development and also turning green in response to the topdress nitrogen that has been applied in recent weeks.
Al Wood – Pasquotank County Extension 

Field conditions are improving. Soil temperatures are climbing with corn planting on sandier soils underway
Mark Seitz – Pender County Extension 

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