Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 6/5/15

DAYS SUITIBLE FOR FIELD WORK

This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.

5.8              4.3             5.3              5.2 

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS 
Topsoil Moisture 5 27 60 8 
Subsoil Moisture 4 20 67 9
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus

CROP CONDITION PERCENT 

VP P F G EX  

Apples 0 2 37 58 3

Barley 0 3 25 68 4 

Corn 1 7 26 49 17

Cotton 1 3 22 62 12

Hay 0 5 47 41 7  

Oats 2 8 45 41 4

Peanuts 0 1 17 69 13  

Soybeans 1 4 26 63 6

Tobacco: Flue Cured 0 1 20 67 12  

 Tobacco: Burley 0 0 42 54 4

Wheat 2 11 32 46 9 

VP = Very Poor P = Poor F = Fair G = Good EX = Excellent 

CROP PROGRESS PERCENT – WITH COMPARISONS
This Week Last Week Last Year 5 Yr. Avg.
PLANTED:
Cotton 94 92 100 100  
Peanuts 96 91 100 100
Soybeans 70 61 70 68
Sweet Potatoes 61 44 60 61
Tobacco: Burley 80 73 86 89  
Pasture 3 21 40 33 3
Peaches 4 2 39 49 6
PHENOLOGICAL:
Soybean % Emerged 56 45 62 56  
Sweet Potatoes 0 1 54 45 0
HARVESTED:
Barley 48 20 n/a n/a  
Hay 1st cutting 90 82 91 90  
Oats 48 30 n/a n/a
Wheat 21 n/a 30 46

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS


The tobacco crop has gotten off to a good start in most areas. Weather conditions have been extremely variable across the area. Livestock farmers pastures are doing great but some are falling short on hay supplies which is forcing them to plant summer annuals for additional grazing and hay supplies. Overall the crops in the county look great. With all of the rainfall this past week some of the small grains, such as wheat, have started to lodge in the fields. Joey Knight – Caswell County Extension 

A few scattered showers helped crops in parts of the county, but a good general rainfall is needed. Some growers started irrigating tobacco due to short soil moisture. Corn is showing heat stress again, but is still in decent condition. Wheat is showing some disease problems. A few growers are starting to combine as moisture levels get low enough. Full season soybeans have emerged pretty well, but soil moisture will be critical for double crop beans. Growth of cool season grasses in pastures has just about stopped due to heat and humidity. Summer species are growing pretty well and will help livestock farmers.
Paul Westfall – Granville County Extension 

Conditions in many areas are worsening due to lack of rainfall of late. Continued hot, dry conditions will hamper crop development. Corn that is tasselling this week will be harmed due to the extremely hot temperatures. Tobacco that is nearing running out a top will also be hurt.
Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7

Very spotty showers of half inch or less fell on a few areas this past week. Conditions are hot and dry.
Carl Pless – Cabarrus County Extension 

Scattered thunderstorms occurred over the weekend to help alleviate dry soil conditions. Some pre-bloom cotton fields infested with plant bug and needing to be treated with insecticides. Reports of poor corn stands and suckering of corn plants caused by earlier feeding by stinkbugs.
Richard Rhodes – Bertie County Extension 

Heavy rainfall in southern Pender County caused significant flooding in soybeans planted the previous week. Early planted corn is beginning to tassel. Stands are very uneven because of poor conditions when it was emerging. Wheat harvest started last
week, but rains later in the week stopped all progress. Expect wheat harvest to move rapidly this week with hot, dry conditions
Mark Seitz - Pender County Extension

Robeson County received varied amounts (0.5-3+") of rainfall last week with multiple systems moving across the area that brought much needed moisture ahead of a major heat wave. Some events brought heavy rain and strong winds. One isolated report of wind damage to sorghum was received. Small grain harvest is in full swing with reports of yield lower than past few years. 
Mac Malloy - Robeson County Extension

For the full report, click here.