Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 8/22/16

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT

VS ST A SS 

Topsoil Moisture 6 24 61 9
Subsoil Moisture 4 20 67 9
VS= Very Short ST = Short A = Adequate SS = Surplus 

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
6.2             6.1                   6.0        5.4 

CROP CONDITION PERCENT

VP P F G EX 

Apple 11 12 41 35 1 

Corn 2 7 25 50 16 

Cotton 3 8 25 57 7 

Hay 1 7 45 41 6 

Pasture 3 12 37 43 5 

Peanut 0 4 14 68 14 

Soybean 1 5 28 52 14 

Sorghum 1 4 22 67 6 

Sweet Potato 0 2 22 72 4 

Tobacco: Flue Cured 2 6 24 60 8 

Tobacco: Burley 0 0 20 74 6 

 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
PHENOLOGICAL:
Corn – Dented 92 87 86 87
Corn – Mature 68 42 60 60
Cotton – Setting Bolls 93 89 93 95
Cotton – Bolls Opening 11 n/a 11 n/a
Soybean – Blooming 93 84 88 83  
Soybean – Setting Pods 75 64 65 61
HARVESTED:
Apple 29 22 28 25  
Corn for Grain 13 n/a 11 n/a  
Corn for Silage 50 40 42 46  
Hay 2nd Cutting 85 82 68 75  
Hay 3rd Cutting 23 12 17 21
Peaches 78 73 79 85
Tobacco: Flue Cured 45 39 37 40
Tobacco: Burley 11 n/a 12 23

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS

Some areas of the county had heavy rainfall, one area had 2.9" in 59 minutes which caused localized flooding. Other areas of the county only received light showers. 
Julia Houck - Ashe - Alleghany County Extension

Hot, dry conditions took a toll on crops this past week. Although there was some rainfall across the area, not all that needed it got it. Don Nicholson – Agronomist Region 7 

All areas of the county received significant rainfall during the week to help alleviate some of the dry conditions. Most areas received at least 2" of rain and others significantly more. Pastures continue to improve as the grass receives adequate rainfall and cooler night temperatures. Vegetable crop harvest continues and the burley tobacco crop is topped. 
Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension 

Tobacco cutting continues. Soybeans are hurt by the heat and lack of moisture. Soybean diseases are setting in. With the heat corn plants have shut down and are turning to mature quicker. Gary Cross – Person County Extension 

We are now receiving some rain but the extreme heat and humidity is taking its toll on the crops. Hay fields are slowly turning green and beginning to grow again.
Janice Nicholson – Rutherford County Extension

Corn harvest is well under way with yields above average in most areas. Grain quality is good. Tobacco harvest continues with some issues of late season diseases. Most of the area has dried out significantly and is needing rain. Soybeans are suffering from dry weather and heavier worm pressure than normal. Spotty showers the end of the week brought relief to some isolated areas. Mac Malloy - Robeson County Extension

Rain showers delayed corn harvest, but progress continues to be made. Tobacco is coming to a close and soybeans are looking good. Daniel Simpson – Pamlico County Extension 

Many area received 2-3" rainfall on Friday, August 19th. Some light hail fell but no significant crop damage reported 
Mike Carroll – Craven County Extension 

Spotty rain showers covering less than 20% of the county. We are in need of a shower as beans and cotton are aborting fruit..
Tim Britton - Johnston County Extension

Large areas of Johnston County have missed recent rains. Dry conditions are damaging all crops.
Cathy Herring – Central Crops Station 

Rains have been extremely scattered, leaving some pockets of drought while other areas have received some good rain and crops look good.
Paige Burns – Richmond County Extension 

For the full report, click here.