SC Crops Languishing Due to Rain

South Carolina’s latest crop progress report released by USDA reports that the state experienced hot, humid mornings followed by scattered afternoon rain showers. As much as 7.5 inches of rain fell in the Myrtle Beach area in the final week of June. Soil moisture levels are rated at 1% very short, 3% short, 78% adequate and 18% surplus. There were 5.4 days suitable for field work. 81% of the corn crop has silked compared to 90% on the five-year average, cotton planting inched closer to completion, and 21% of the peanut crop was pegged by the end of the week compared to 35% on the five-year average, and winter wheat harvest continues with 75% complete by the end of the week compared to 97% on the five-year average.

More Groups Sound Off on Splitting the Farm Bill

Not the way to go. That’s how a top American Farm Bureau Federation official describes the idea of splitting up the farm bill between ag and nutrition programs to get it through the House. AFBF Director Dale Moore says the proposal – now getting serious attention from House GOP Leader Eric Cantor – will only cause further delay in getting a farm bill done – and may even cause more harm…

“I don’t think the votes will be there to pass two separate bills and it raises all kinds of questions – does the leadership expect that all the Republicans would vote to get both bills off the House floor and into conference? And then you run into the Senate Majority leader has already indicated that he is not going to take them up as two separate bills.”

NC Crop Progress Report Reflects Excessive Rain

In the latest crop progress report for North Carolina released by USDA, there were only 3.6 days suitable for field work for the final week of June compared to 4.5 the previous week. Statewide moisture levels were rated at 2% short, 52% adequate and 46% surplus. Several areas of the state received over 2 inches of rainfall during the week, with a few areas recording over 5. Crop plantings continue to run behind last year and five-year averages. Mark Keene with Lenoir County Extension reports that nearly daily rainfall has continued to delay wheat harvest. Tobacco sucker control application are a challenge due to wet fields and afternoon storms, and some leaf producers are becoming concerned nitrogen levels may have leached out due to rainfall with some localized drowning of the crop.

NC Flue-cured & Burley Tobacco Tours Set
 

Registration is now open for the 2013 flue-cured and burly tobacco tours. The Eastern tour is July 15 and 16th with several stops in Johnston, Lenoir, Greene and Edgecombe Counties. The Piedmont tour is on July 17th with stops in Johnston, Franklin, and Granville Counties. For more information or a registration packet click here.