Although drought conditions persist, recent rains have been welcomed by farmers across the state. Crop conditions continue to remain a concern, especially for corn and hay. Some crops show signs they are responding to the rain. USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared a disaster for Columbus County based on losses caused by the drought, which authorizes emergency loans for eligible farmers in Columbus, Bladen, Brunswick, Pender and Robeson counties.

• Although drought conditions continue to persist, recent rains have been welcomed by farmers across the state, providing some much-needed moisture for crops and helping recharge farm ponds and aquifers.

• The latest North Carolina drought monitor as of July 18, 2024, listed Columbus and Yadkin counties as being in extreme drought; 26 counties were in severe drought; 49 counties in moderate drought and 21 counties were abnormally dry.

• I wish I could say crops are out of the woods, but crop conditions continue to remain a big concern despite some of them showing signs of improvement.

• I’ll remind listeners that we have a long way to go with this growing season and it is still too early to know the impact weather will have on yields.

• We know conditions have been highly unfavorable for corn, plus other crops such as hay and pastures are also feeling stress from the current weather situation. I have heard numerous reports of farmers already feeding hay to their cattle.

• The National Agricultural Statistics Service’s July 22 report shows 66% of the corn crop in our state in poor or very poor condition, with an additional 19% in fair condition.

• Soybeans, sweet potatoes, peanuts, tobacco and cotton have benefitted from the rains, and I hope the rainfall over the past few days will continue to provide a boost to crops.

• Sweet potato growers are reporting 6% of crops are in poor condition, 33% in fair condition, 55% in good condition and 6% in excellent condition. Those numbers were slightly better than last week.

• Peanut growers note 3% of crops are in very poor condition, 4% in poor condition, 32% fair, 54% good and 7% excellent.

• Flue-cured tobacco posts 7% in very poor condition, 17% in poor condition, 38% in fair condition, 34% in good and 4% excellent.

• This is a crucial time in the season for many of the crops to receive adequate water. We are thankful for the recent rains and remain prayerful for more rain as we continue through the production season.  

• Last week, USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared a natural disaster in our state based on losses caused by a drought for Columbus County – an area that has seen significant corn losses.

• The disaster declaration means Federal disaster assistance including Farm Service Agency emergency loans are available for eligible farmers in Columbus County, plus farmers in the contiguous counties of Bladen, Brunswick, Pender and Robeson.

• We continue to encourage producers to report conditions to their local FSA office, take field photographs and to be in touch with their insurance agents.

• I will keep listeners updated as the season progresses and if new counties are added to the federal disaster declaration.