South Carolina Field Reports: Bonnie Brings Rains, Maybe Too Much

Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending June 5, 2016.

County Extension Comments

William Hardee, Horry County
Tomato spotted wilt virus has really started showing up strong the last couples of weeks in tobacco. Other than that, all crops in general are doing well. Mild to hot weather and adequate rainfall have played in our favor.

Moderate and wet weather also bodes well for disease development especially for some of the soil borne tobacco diseases. Usually infection occurs during the weather conditions we are experiencing now and doesn’t show up until stress occurs later on.

Mark Nettles, Orangeburg County
Rain events have most areas with good to excessive soil moisture. If tropical weather events provide much more moisture, we may have too much by the end of this week. Corn is in excellent condition, and the crop looks really good as of this reporting period.

Hugh Gray, Allendale County
On Sunday and Monday tropical storm Bonnie descended upon Hampton and Allendale counties. The northern half of the counties received about six inches and the southern half even more. Some areas of corn and small grains were lodged by the heavy rain and wind but not enough to significantly effect yields.

However, fields of cotton, peanuts, and soybeans in low areas will have to be replanted due to water standing for several days. Peach harvest is continuing and small grain harvest is wrapping up. No crop disease or insect problems reported.

General

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s South Carolina Field Office, there were 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, June 5, 2016.  Precipitation estimates for the state ranged from 0.2 inches of rain up to 6.0 inches.

Average high temperatures ranged from the high 80s to the low 90s.  Average low temperatures ranged from the mid 60s to the low 70s.