Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 4/5/16

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.

VS ST A SS
5.0 5.8 4.8 3.8

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT

Topsoil Moisture 0 6 79 15
Subsoil Moisture 0 6 77 17
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus

CROP CONDITION PERCENT
VP P F G EX
Barley 0 4 29 61 6
Oats 0 8 30 57 5
Pasture 2 6 38 47 7
Wheat 4 13 31 44 8
VP = Very Poor P = Poor F = Fair G = Good EX = Excellent

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS

Day time temperature have started to warm. We are still having night time temperatures in the low 30's and scattered frost. Grass is starting to grow. Vegetable growers have started plants in greenhouses. 
Julia Houck – Ashe-Alleghany County Extension 

Rutherford County has been experiencing dry conditions over the last few weeks. The lack of rain will affect the 1st cutting of hay with less than 9/10 of an inch of rain in March. Producers who grew soybeans last year are looking closely at the weather to decide whether or not they will be planting this year.
Janice Nicholson – Rutherford County FSA 

Weather conditions remained fairly mild with high temperatures primarily in the mid to lower 60's and lows in the lower 40's. There was some frost mid-week; however, little or no crop damage occurred. Pastures are greening up nicely and most pasture and hay fertilization has been completed. 
Stanley Holloway - Yancey County Extension

Wheat is struggling the late planted did not tiller well. Rains will continue. .Gary Cross – Person County Extension 

We have received large amounts of rain and decent weather but the grass has not grown as much as some would like and hay is starting to get short but things should look up soon.
Danelle Cutting – Rowan County Extension 

Cool temperatures and wet soil conditions limited field work to well drained or no-till sites. Farmers were able to get some poultry litter and herbicide applications made to prep corn ground but delayed planting waiting for dryer conditions and warmer soil temperatures. Strawberry harvest started this weed with good to excellent berry sets and yields. Wet weather on the first weekend will slow U-pick sales. Blueberry blossom set is good to excellent. Growers have only had to run irrigation for frost protection one night so far this year.

Mark Seitz – Pender County Extension

Corn planting got under way in a big way, with some growers getting all their corn planted last week. Field conditions are excellent for planting. Strawberries are blooming with small fruit and some ripening fruit on Sweet Charlie and some Camarosa varieties. Growers are preparing for the two cold events expected for this week.
Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7 

So far, small grain crops seem to be doing pretty well. Rye has already headed out, and oats are beginning to. Corn planting should start in earnest this week around here.
Stephen Bishop – Cleveland SWCD 

Field work is taking place in location where soil conditions allow. Tobacco land is being fumigated and bedded. Wheat conditions are improving. Tobacco transplant are growing out well in the greenhouses.
Jarette Hurry – Bertie County Extension 

Irish potato planting is finished and cabbage planting is nearing completion. Farmers are preparing corn land and a very small amount already planted.
Al Wood – Pasquotank County Extension 

Cool night temperatures continue to cause delays in corn planting. Forecast for 28 tomorrow night. Worry for trees and strawberries that need frost protection. Soil conditions are good for planting. Roy Thagard – Greene County Extension 

Cooler temperatures this week may delay some planned plantings. Cathy Herring – Central Crops Research Station 

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