Source: USDA'S NASS NC FIELD OFFICE, 11/24/14

GENERAL: There were 5.6 days suitable for field work for the week ending Nov. 24, 21014. Topsoil moisture was rated 2% very short, 19% short, 75% adequate, and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2% very short, 19% short, 74% adequate, and 5% surplus. The state received scattered rainfall during the week. However, average temperatures dropped from 8 to 15 degrees below normal which delayed some field work. Over half of the state remains abnormally dry. Reported crop progress data for the week showed soybeans harvest at 66%. Cotton harvested at 87%, sweet potato harvest is at 97% and peanut harvest is reported at 96%. Small grain planting continued to progress with barley reported at 90%, wheat at 82% and oats planted at 75%.  

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COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT REPORTS

Soybean and cotton harvest continued. No grain sorghum has been harvested yet. Hay harvest is finished, with a good fall cop baled. The fall crop has made up shortages from the spring crop, so supplies should be adequate for most farms. Cold weather may have affected germination and emergence of later planted wheat fields. Most beef farmers are now feeding hay. Paul Westfall - Granville County Extension  

Great year for stockpiled fescue and this will help shortage of hay for sale. Only a few fields of summer crops yet to be harvested. Primary cause is equipment breakdowns. Wheat crop emerging normally and not too much damage from extreme cold earlier this week. Some plants in heavy stubble without soil contact had some injury but these plants likely to recover completely. Soil moisture adequate but streams that 15 years ago had flow year round are noticeably short of water. Steve Gibson – Catawba County Extension  

Sweet potato harvest is complete and peanut harvest is nearing completion with good yields being reported for both crops. Soybean harvest really picked up due to last week’s dry weather, with average yields being reported at 30 to 50 bushels.  Soybeans reported to be in the 13% moisture range with soybean stalks still a little on the green side. Small grains recently planted are popping up, greening up and looking good. Farmers also busy planting cover crops. Brian Parrish - Harnett County Extension  

Wheat planting as well as soybean and cotton harvest is almost completed. Cabbage has no more than 20 percent of the crop left to be harvested. Ideal conditions at planting, has most field of wheat with very good plant populations, which is critical for good yields. Al Wood - Pasquotank County Extension  

Harvest conditions were generally good to excellent during the week. Soybean producers taking advantage to get beans in the bin. One grower reporting moisture levels in harvested beans had dropped to 10%. Richard Rhodes – Bertie County Extension

 
CROP PROGRESS PERCENT – WITH COMPARISONS   
This Week  Last Week  Last Year  5-Year Avg  
PHENOLOGICAL:      
Wheat Emerged 62 48 53 50        
PLANTED:    
Barley 90 80 97 92  
Oats 75 61 97 92  
Wheat 82 67 84 78        
HARVESTED:      
Cotton 87 77 77 84  
Hay 3rd cutting 95 93 91 97  
Peanuts Threshed 96 92 100 99  
Sorghum 58 53 90 n/a  
Soybeans 66 53 68 64  
Sweet Potato 97 94 99 99        

CROP CONDITION PERCENT  
VP P F G EX  
Barley 0 0 23 71 6  
Oats 0 0 20 77 3  
Pasture  2 13 41 40 4  
Wheat 0 0 26 69 5        
VP = Very Poor  P = Poor  F = Fair  G = Good   EX = Excellent    

SOIL MOISTURE PERCENT  
VS ST A SS  
Topsoil Moisture 2 19 75 4  
Subsoil Moisture 2 19 74 5        
VS= Very Short   ST = Short   A = Adequate   SS = Surplus