South Carolina Field Reports: Rains Desperately Needed to Save Yield Potential

Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending July 21, 2019.

County Comments

Rusty Skipper, Horry County
Hot dry conditions continued throughout Horry County and started to impact potential yields. Much needed rain and cooler temperatures are in the forecast for the upcoming week, and it is our hope that it is not too late to salvage a decent 2019 crop year.

Charles Davis, Calhoun County
Widely scattered storms provided only spotty relief from the dry conditions. High heat continued to stress crops throughout the week. Corn was nearing maturity with much of the crop at dent stage. Cotton continued a good fruit set, and peanuts were setting nuts at a rapid pace. Cotton insect pressures began to build with stinkbugs and bollworm pressures becoming more evident. Disease pressure was low in peanuts.

Hugh B. Gray, Allendale County
With little to no measurable rainfall recently, coupled with scorching heat, most crops were stressed. Cotton began wilting before noon and many fields were blooming out of the top, which is not a good sign for normal growth, blooming, and boll production. All crops which were producing fruit were stressed by the heat and lack of adequate soil moisture. Rainfall is desperately needed soon in order to maintain yield potential in peanuts and cotton. Soybeans were just beginning to bloom, so they were not as affected. Many corn fields began to change color and dry down, especially the dryland corn. Watermelon harvesting was finished for the year.

General Comments

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According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in South Carolina, there were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, July 21, 2019. Precipitation estimates for the state ranged from no rain up to 4.10 inches. Average high temperatures ranged from the high 70s to the high 90s. Average low temperatures ranged from the high 60s to the high 70s.