Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 1/3/17

DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELD WORK  
This Week Last Week Last Year 5-Year Avg.
4.6 n/a n/a n/a  

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT    
VS ST A SS
Topsoil Moisture 0 7 74 19  
Subsoil Moisture 1 8 79 12            
VS= Very Short   ST = Short   A = Adequate   SS = Surplus

 CROP CONDITION PERCENT  
 VP P F G EX      
Barley 1 15 58 25 1      
Oats 0 1 39 59 1      
Pasture  4 42 32 21 1      
Wheat 0 5 25 51 19                  
VP = Very Poor  P = Poor  F = Fair  G = Good   EX = Excellent    

COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS

December has been a mild month with warmer than normal temperatures and less than normal precipitation. Most of the county received between 3.5"-4.0" of rain during the month. Livestock producers continue to cull herd numbers in hopes of being able to get through the winter with a limited hay supply. Christmas tree growers reported having a good sales season this year. Stanley Holloway – Yancey County Extension  

Recent rainfall and light snow has helped with the drought conditions. Producers had to start feeding hay early and hay production was off due to the drought. These conditions may cause a shortage of hay going into the winter. Julia Houck – Ashe-Alleghany County Extension  

We have been getting ample rain systems bringing in small amounts of moisture over long periods of time. We have lost our last cutting of hay due to the dryness in the fall. Field conditions for 2017 look promising if rain continues. Jerry Moody – Avery County Extension  

Warmer than normal temperatures and brief showers have helped ease the severe drought conditions. Fall plantings were delayed due to the lack of rain. Livestock producers continue to use their hay reserves to offset the lack of grass due to the drought. Looking forward to a better New Year! Janice Nicholson – Rutherford County Extension  

Weather has been mostly favorable for emergence of winter grains. Taylor Williams – Moore County Extension  

Wheat crop generally looks good with the favorable weather we have had since planting. Al Wood Pasquotank County Extension    

Rain has been consistent on a weekly basis, but still suffer from the rain deficit over the past 7 months. Silas Brown – Clay County Extension  

Cattle farmers using more hay pastures are in fair condition. Wheat is looking good in dormancy. All crops but a few soybeans are harvested. Gary Cross – Person County Extension  

Some of the small grain growers planted their wheat a little late because of the lack of moisture in the fall of 2016. But with the warm temperatures in December, the crop may make it, unless we get several days of hard freeze, then their will not be enough root development. Livestock producers are grazing stockpile fescue and feeding up hay supplies. Joey Knight – Caswell County Extension  

While the county has received enough rainfall to warrant the cancellation of a burning ban that had been in place for most of November and into early December, the entire county remains in moderate drought (D1). Hay supplies remain adequate for the time being, although with fall hay harvest being significantly low, spotty shortages may yet occur. Randy Fulk – Stokes County Extension  

Rains over the past few days have replenished water supplies. Temperatures are normal for time of year. Wheat acreage is down again, running around last year’s numbers or a little lower. Tim Britton – Johnston County Extension  

Rain has limited field activity. Wheat is growing well. Daniel Simpson – Pamlico County Extension 

For the full report, click here.