North Carolina
Crop Progress & Condition Report
for the week ended July 4, 2010
General:
The Central and Southern Coastal regions received some precipitation last week while the rest of the state remained dry. Cooler weather resulted in average temperatures that were below normal, ranging from 69 to 78 degrees. There were 6.3 days suitable for field work, compared to 6.4 from the previous week. Activities for the week included the harvesting of Irish Potatoes and the second cutting of hay. Continued dry
weather is causing drought stress to most row crops.
Soil Moisture
Statewide soil moisture levels were rated at 22% very short, 43% short, 33% adequate and 2% surplus.
Crop Progress & Condition
Cotton- 85% of the crop has squared compared to 69% last week, 75% last year, ahead of the five-year average of 74%. 10% of the crop is setting bolls with no further comparisons. 5% of the crop is rated Very Poor, 11% of the crop is in Poor condition, 31% in Fair condition, 46% is in Good condition and 7% is rated to be in Excellent condition.
Corn- 95% of the crop has silked, compared to 80% last week, 85% last year, pacing well ahead of the five-year average of 74%. 18% of the crop has reached the Soft Dough stage, compared to 12% last week and 10% last year, with an 11% five-year average. 9%of the crop is rated in Very Poor condition, 21% of the crop is rated in Poor condition, 34% is rated Fair, 30% of the crop is rated Good and 6% is rated Excellent.
Peanuts-55% of this season’s peanut crop is pegging, compared to 42% last week, 71% last year, well ahead of the five-year average of 39%. 5% of the crop is rated as being in Poor condition, 38% of the crop is considered to be in Fair condition, 54% in Good condition, and 3% in Excellent condition.
Soybeans- 98 % of the crop has been planted compared to 83% last week and 94% last year, ahead of the five-year average of 93%. 93% of the crop has emerged compared to 85% last week and 87% last year, well ahead of the five-year average of 85%. 14% is rated Poor, 37% is rated Fair, 45% is rated Good, and 4% is rated Excellent.
Sweet Potatoes- 95% of the crop has been planted compared to 86% last week and 99% last year, right in line with the five-year average of 95%. Of the crop that’s been planted 1% is rated in Poor condition, 69 % is rated in Fair condition, 28% is rated as being in Good condition, and 2% is rated as being in Excellent condition.
Tobacco-burley- 5% Poor, 32% Fair, 56% is rated Good and 7% Excellent.
Tobacco-flue cured- 14% is rated Poor, 31% is rated Fair, 52% is rated Good, and 3% is rated Excellent.
Precipitation & Temperatures
New Bern recorded the highest precipitation during the week with a total of 3.61 inches. The least precipitation was in the Central Piedmont region of the state, with several reporting stations coming up dry. The highest temperature was recorded in Rocky Mount at 100, the lowest was recorded in both Siler City and Elizabeth City at 52 degrees.
Drought Monitor
The latest Drought Monitor released on Thursday, July 1st shows 44% of the state now experiencing Abnormally Dry conditions compared to 18.9% last week. In addition to the upper coastal region counties in the mountains along the Tennessee border are now classified as Abnormally Dry.
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