The latest National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Crop Progress and Condition Reports show farmers are busy putting in this year’s crops and conditions point to mostly adequate soil moisture. Regional agronomists reports indicate the planting season is off to a good start.
- It’s a busy time on the farm between planting and harvesting crops depending on what you are growing.
- The latest National Agricultural Statistic Service’s Crop Progress and Condition Report came out last week and indicated that North Carolina farmers are a little ahead of last year in planting most field crops.
- For starters, 98 % of flue-cured tobacco has been planted, 95% of corn has emerged, 88 % of the peanut crop is in the ground, 74 % of cotton and 72% of soybeans are planted even with a week of rain at the end of May and a dry start in some parts of the state in April and early May.
- With drier conditions last week, farmers are continuing to plant burley tobacco (62% planted), sorghum (41%) and sweet potatoes (34%).
- From my own observations, I have seen some good-looking stands of corn and flue-cured tobacco already this year. I love to see crops growing.
- Hay and barley harvests were behind 2024 numbers, likely due to May rains. 62 % of the first cuttings of hay have been harvested (compared to 76% in 2024) and 17% of barley compared to 34% in 2024).
- The NASS report noted that soil moisture fell into the mostly adequate to surplus range: with 76% of subsoil and 67% of topsoil moisture rated as adequate, and 6% of subsoil and 29% of topsoil rated in the surplus range.
- Crop conditions varied across the state according to NASS: 82% of cotton, 75% of soybeans and 83% of flue-cured tobacco ranked as good to excellent condition.
- Reports from our regional agronomists paint a pretty similar picture.
- A few highlights from their spring reports include:
- Potatoes are looking good in Region 1, the Upper Coastal Plain region (Bertie to Perquimans counties) (From RA Bert James)
- Wheat stands look good and farmers are optimistic about better yields in Region 2, the Upper Coast Plain (Beaufort to Washington counties) (From RA Bright Ofori)
- The rain seemed to be timely for flue-cured tobacco, early season corn and newly emerging peanuts in Region 3. (Central Coastal Plain) (From RA Jeb Smith)
- In the Coastal Plain from Duplin to Wayne counties overall crop conditions are reported as being “one of the better starts to the season in the last few years.” Tobacco and corn are looking good. (From RA Willie Howell)
- In Southeastern NC (Region 5) from Bladen to Scotland counties, most of the area is in good condition in terms of rainfall, but Columbus, Brunswick and Cumberland have seen some excessive rainfall. Rain was timely for peanuts and cotton. (From RA Georgia Love)
- In the Eastern Piedmont region from Franklin to Warren counties (Region 6) tobacco and corn have been planted and sweet potato slips are in the ground. (From RA Spencer Thomas)
- In Region 7 of the Piedmont/Central NC from Alamance to Stokes counties, the growing season is off to a slow start with 60% of soybeans and 80% of tobacco planted. (From RA Anna-Beth Williams)
- In the Sandhills and Central Piedmont from Anson to Stanley counties (Region 8) tobacco is looking promising with planting finished. Peach harvest is underway and the crop looks good. Vegetable crops including squash, zucchini, potatoes and cucumbers are also producing well and being harvested. (From RA Brad Thompson)
- Also in the Piedmont/Central NC from Cabarrus to Yadkin counties, the corn and soybean crops are off to a very good start. For nursery producers, ornamental plants are in high demand and moving well. (From RA Daniel Overcash)
- Farmers really need a good year this year, so we will keep a watch on conditions as the season goes along.