Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 2/1/16


DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK

This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.

3.1 N/A 2.2 N/A  

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT
VS ST A SS 

Topsoil Moisture 0 1 45 54
Subsoil Moisture 0 1 48 51
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Barley 2 18 44 35 1
Oats 5 13 48 32 2
Pasture 7 20 43 28 2
Wheat 7 17 40 29 7
VP = Very Poor P = Poor F = Fair G = Good EX = Excellent

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS

6-12 inches of snow on January 23 and 24 has left small grain Fields extremely wet thus complicating weed control and N applications. Livestock feeding is challenging especially on mountain farms where cattle congregate in same areas. 
Dwayne Tate – Agronomist Region 12 

Some producers are looking for hay.
Julia Houck – Ashe-Alleghany County FSA 

Winter storm Jonas brought significant snowfall over the entire county. Snowfall amounts were variable with lowest reports of 8" to the highest of 66" reported at Mt. Mitchell. On average, most of the county received between 12"-18" of snow limiting travel, farm activities and severely hampering tending of livestock. 
Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension 

Colder weather and wet soil conditions have meant no field work being done. Wheat is in fair condition at best, and will need a nitrogen application to make decent yields. Tobacco farmers are making preparations for greenhouse operations and are sending solution samples for analysis. Pastures are not growing and are pretty wet, which has caused some problems feeding hay. Hay supplies are getting low, and there is not much for sale.
Paul Westfall – Granville County Extension 

After a very warm and wet fall and early winter, the weather got very cold and wet in January. Livestock farmers continue to feed hay which is in very short supply. Muddy conditions around livestock feeding areas hinder livestock performance. Cold weather slowed small grain growth and development. Small grain stands have been damaged in low areas due to water logged soils. Carl Pless - Cabarrus County Extension

Rain in recent weeks has fields wet so that limited field work can be accomplished. Saturated soils have wheat looking discolored, and drying conditions are needed for wheat to grow as it should. Some Hessian fly damage has been observed in wheat. Drying conditions are also needed for Irish potato growers to start preparing land for planting which will start in about 30 days, weather permitting. Al Wood – Pasquotank County Extension

Late planted wheat in December. Most wheat is struggling because it was planted under wet conditions. Much of the wheat did not get planted.
Gary Cross – Person County Extension 

Small grains condition has improved somewhat with dryer weather. There was some damage to the crop with the combination of wet conditions and cold conditions. Most of the crop would benefit from a shot of Nitrogen to get tiller counts up.
Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7 

There are still an estimated 2000 - 3000 acres of soybeans in the fields in Halifax county. Farmers are still trying to harvest some of them while others are waiting to get a determination from their crop insurance about whether to harvest or not. This has probably been the worst year for harvesting I can remember and in combination with the lowest prices in the last 5 or 6 years, 2015 will be remembered as one of the worst ever for many farmers in Halifax county. Arthur Whitehead - Halifax County Extension

The mild winter has helped late planted wheat increase tillers. Jarette Hurry – Bertie County Extension 

Growers should be making a side dress N application to winter wheat this week and next as field conditions allow. However, there is a lot of wheat with poor stands that may not be further managed. Tobacco farmers are preparing for greenhouse planting. Roy Thagard – Greene County Extension 

Wet conditions this month have delayed field activities. Wet conditions in December and January prevented the harvest of some soybeans. Wet weather has delayed field activities this month. Cathy Herring – Central Crops Research Station 

Wet, wet, wet conditions continue through January. Winter wheat acreage in the county is likely less than 20% of the normal acreage planted due to excessively wet conditions in the fall. The little bit of wheat in the ground is in desperate need of fertilizer and weed control but field conditions are limiting farmers' ability to get this work done. Mark Seitz – Pender County Extension 

For the full report, click here.