Days suitable for field work 5.1. Topsoil moisture 3% very short, 27% short, 62% adequate and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture 4% very short, 22% short, 67% adequate and 7% surplus. Cotton squaring was rated at 11%, peanuts pegging at 23%, corn silking at 12%, soybeans emerged at 63%, soybeans planted at 71% and sweet potatoes at 61% planted. The first cutting of hay is 92% complete and second cutting is underway at 20%. Most of the state experienced above normal temperatures for a second week in a row with most areas reaching into the 90s. The state received rainfall across the entire state with some areas receiving several inches due to heavy summer thunderstorms.
We started the week off very dry but it rained the latter part of the week in most of Rutherford County. The southern end of the county is still extremely dry even with the showers this week. Janice Nicholson – Rutherford County Extension
Rains over the week have helped to improve conditions over most of the sandhills and central Piedmont. Tobacco is continuing to progress nicely in most areas. Cotton is beginning to grow off better with the warmer nights. Corn and soybeans will see improvement with the rains. Wheat harvest has been delayed by the rain a few days. Wheat yields are ranging from 50-80 bushels per acre in most areas. Colby Lambert – Regional Agronomist Guilford area
Some areas received over an inch of rain in thunderstorms, some of which included severe wind storms. Many areas of the County had only a couple of tenths of an inch of rain early in the week. Corn, pasture and hay crops are showing a lot of lack of moisture stress in the dry areas. Carl Pless- Cabarrus County Extension
Rain last week varied greatly among the counties…but slowed the wheat harvest a little…most of the wheat I expect will be harvested this week pending the weather. Soybeans are being planted behind the combine. Wendy Drake – Hertford County Extension
Much needed rain fell last week benefiting corn planted on sandy soils and corn that is beginning to tassel. Wheat harvest and soybean planting continued, but were delayed somewhat with the rains. Early wheat yields have been more promising than some had expected after the harsh winter. Chris Jernigan – Regional Agronomist Carteret area
Diseases (TSWV, Target Spot and isolated Granville Wilt) beginning to become more evident in tobacco. Thrips still found in high numbers in cotton and peanuts. Scattered rainfall provided some drought/heat stress relief from much of the NW portion of the county. This area and portions of NE report 1-3″ of rainfall. Other areas received 0,2 -0.7 inch of rainfall through Friday. Isolated storm between Ft. Barnwell and Dover resulted in small hail and strong winds. No crops reported damaged. Mike Carroll – Craven County Extension
Dryland corn is suffering significantly and getting a stand on just planted soybeans following wheat may be an issue due to the dry soil conditions. Much of the corn crop is silking and tasseling during extremely hot temperatures this week. Georgia Love – Regional Agronomist Bladen area
More Information: North Carolina USDA Report
