Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 4/18/16

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg. 6.1 5.8 4.0 4.0

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT

VS ST A SS  

Topsoil Moisture 1 20 72 7
Subsoil Moisture 1 10 78 11
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus

CROP CONDITION PERCENT

VP P F G EX 

Barley 1 5 34 55 5

Oats 1 7 31 56 5

Pasture 2 12 39 41 6

Wheat 5 13 31 43 8

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:  
Corn 46 21 36 41  
PHENOLOGICAL:  
Corn % Emerged 12 n/a n/a 11
Wheat % Headed 22 n/a n/a 24

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS 

We are into our second month of rainfall shortage. For March we were 3.0 inches below normal. So far in April we have not received any measurable rainfall. Producers are spreading lime and fertilizer on hay and pasture land and getting ready to plant corn and set burley tobacco.
Julia Houck – Ashe-Alleghany County Extension 

Another dry week as the county received only a trace of rain. Temperatures were relatively mild with highs mainly in the 60's and lows predominately in the mid to upper 30's. There were a couple of frosty mornings as lows dipped into the lower 30's. 
At this point only minor frost freeze damage has been experienced, mainly in strawberries. Pasture and hay land is responding well to warmer temps and fertilizer applications.
Stanley Holloway - Yancey County Extension

We had hard freezes on April 6th and 9th. This may have hurt the wheat crop. With wheat very thin late planted and poor tilling could affect yields. Gary Cross – Person County Extension 

Pastures and hay fields are still growing slowly. That combined with short supplies of hay is making it a challenge for farmers to find adequate forage supplies. Wheat is in good shape, with field prep work continuing for most other crops.
Paul Westfall – Granville County Extension 

Had 2 freeze events this past week that really hurt fruits- blueberries, apples and peaches. Strawberries are coming on with picking already begun at most farms.
John Ivey – Guilford County Extension 

Very dry conditions with very low humidity and winds are not good for crop growth. Livestock farmers are short of forage.
Carl Pless – Cabarrus County Extension 

Cold nights has delayed tobacco transplanting. Corn planting has been slowed by recent weather.
Cathy Herring – Central Crops Research Station

Early tobacco transplanting was delayed due to threat of frost, but growers are planning to have a big day on the 18th. Strawberry crop is coming off and the crop looks good at this point.
Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7 

Corn planting is underway. Cotton land is being prepared
Jarette Hurry – Bertie County Extension 

Pick your own strawberry fields just opened up this past weekend. Strawberry season is two weeks early this year. Tobacco growers will start planting next week in our area. Home garden folks are beginning to plant spring vegetables. Livestock producers are feeding little hay now since pastures are beginning to grow and green up. Only scattered frost this past week, hopefully we are done with frost protection on strawberries and other early blooming fruit crops in the area.
Joey Knight - Caswell County Extension

Damage to blueberry crop from the April 6th freeze - Non-irrigated blueberries sustained some damage. Irrigated blueberries sustained very little to no damage at many sites. April 10th proved to be somewhat warmer, and no additional damage was observed. Wheat is showing stress, especially late planted wheat. Bruce McLean – Bladen County Extension 

Had some light frosts but nothing as damaging as the previous weeks. Still not sure on how hard crops were damaged but expect to see soon. Very little rain this week.
Danelle Cutting - Rowan County Extension

Farmers making great progress in planting corn. Tobacco transplanting will be all systems go this week. Have confirmed stripe rust and powdery mildew on wheat in the county. Do not anticipate any wheat growers putting anything more into this wheat crop for disease management. Cool nighttime temperatures continue to delay produce for local farmers markets. Roy Thagard – Greene County Extension 

For the full report, click here.