sc-crop-weather

State 
South Carolina Crop Weather

Release Date, Week Ending Date
Week Ending July 25, 2004

Issue 
SC-CW1420
    
Agricultural Summary

The weather last week was "normal" for South Carolina in the summer, hot and dry
with occasional relief provided by scattered thunderstorms.  Reporters were
thankful for rain where it was received noting it benefitted most crops, although
several reporters indicated the rain was too late to help corn in their areas. 
One exception to this scenario was in Georgetown county, where the agent reported
that they "need a break from the rain in some areas".  Overall soil moisture
ratings were 4% very short, 24% short, 69% adequate and 3% surplus. There were
6.0 days suitable for field work.

Field Crops Report

Nearly all phases of field crop development continued ahead of the normal pace. 
The CORN crop has completed silking with doughing ahead of normal and maturity
at 27 percent.  The crop remained in fair to good condition.  COTTON remained in
mostly good condition with 93 percent of the crop squared and 53 percent setting
bolls by week's end.  PEANUT pegging reached 86 percent with the crop in fair to
mostly good condition. Nearly half of the SOYBEAN crop had bloomed with 22
percent setting pods by the end of last week; crop condition was mostly good. 
SORGHUM condition remained fair to good as 13 percent of the crop had matured at
week's end. TOBACCO remained in mostly good condition with topping nearing
completion and one-third of the crop harvested by week's end.  

Fruits, Vegetables and Specialty Crops Report
                                
The APPLE crop was in mostly fair condition.  PEACHES were reported in good to
excellent condition with 58 percent of the crop harvested. CANTALOUP and
WATERMELON harvesting was 96 and 92 percent complete, respectively. The SNAPBEAN
and TOMATO harvests were almost finished last week.

Small Grains, Pasture and Livestock Report  
                                
Harvesting of OTHER HAY was 77 percent complete with the crop in fair to mostly
good shape.  PASTURES were in fair to good condition while LIVESTOCK remained in
mostly good condition.  SMALL GRAINS harvesting was finished for 2004.

Crop Progress Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 5 Yr :                                   5 Yr
Crop       Phase        2004 2003 Avg.:Crop        Phase         2004 2003 Avg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    --Percent--                              --Percent--       
                                                                             
Barley     Harvested    100  100  100 :Snapbeans   Harvested      99  100   98
Cantaloups Harvested     96   95   94 :Sorghum     Headed         94   74   70
Corn       Silked       100  100  100 :Sorghum     Turned Color   43   39   38
Corn       Doughed       87   80   81 :Sorghum     Matured        13    1    3
Corn       Matured       27   16   30 :Soybeans    Bloomed        45   21   31
Cotton     Squared       93   84   90 :Soybeans    Pods Set       22    6   15
Cotton     Bolls Set     53   28   39 :Tobacco     Topped         98   97   97
Other Hay  Harvested     77   74   75 :Tobacco     Harvested      33   28   26
Peaches    Harvested     58   59   63 :Tomatoes    Harvested      99  100   98
Peanuts    Pegged        86   86   80 :Watermelons Harvested      92   92   92
Rye        Harvested    100   99  100 :                                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crop Condition Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Very               Excel-:            Very               Excel-
Crop           Poor Poor Fair Good lent :Crop        Poor Poor Fair Good lent
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    -- Percent --                          -- Percent--        

Apples          0    0    70   30    0  :Peaches       6    2   16   32   44   
Corn            5   11    24   49   11  :Peanuts       0    1   28   56   15 
Cotton          0    2    21   70    7  :Sorghum       0    0   45   50    5
Hay             0    5    36   51    8  :Soybeans      0    2   20   65   13
Livestock       0    2    23   68    7  :Sweetpotatoes 0    0    0  100    0 
Pastures        1    8    42   44    5  :Tobacco       0    6   15   56   23
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
South Carolina Weekly Weather Summary for the Week Ending July 25, 2004

     
Wet grounds and 60 degree temperatures caused widespread fog to form on Monday 
morning.  Strong thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon hours with 
large hail reported in Elgin and Sumter.  High pressure built over the state 
on Tuesday, bringing hot, humid weather and hazy skies. This pattern continued 
into the weekend.  Wet weather was limited to sea breeze induced convection 
along the coastal counties.  Near 100 degree heat was recorded on Saturday 
before a northeast wind on Sunday brought in a layer of clouds and cooler 
daytime temperatures. For the period, the State average temperature was near 
normal.

The highest official temperature reported was 99 degrees at Calhoun Falls on 
July 24.  The lowest official temperature reported was 58 degrees at Longcreek 
on the morning of July 19. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 
2.50" at Walhalla ending at 7:00 a.m. on July 25. The average statewide 
rainfall for the period was 0.2".

SOIL:  4 inch depth average soil temperature:  Columbia 85 degrees.

RIVERS AND SURF:  South Carolina river stages were near to below normal.  Surf 
temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 82 degrees.

                                 Precipitation               Temperature
                       Weekly   Jan 1  Deviation      Average  Average
                        Total   Total   From Avg      Maximum  Minimum  Average
         Greer           0.42    21.9       -7.8           89       70       80
      Columbia           0.16    23.2       -5.5           94       73       84 
   Augusta, GA           0.00    23.9       -2.8           95       70       82 
        Cheraw*           NA     
       Chester*           NA
      Johnston*           NA
        Sumter*           NA
       Clemson*           NA
      Florence           0.08    16.1       -9.6           90       71       81 
  Myrtle Beach           0.95    21.3       -2.5           86       73       79 
     Allendale*           NA
    Charleston           1.07    19.6       -8.7           92       75       84 
      Beaufort*           NA

* Rainfall totals ending Sunday 7:00 a.m.  All others ending midnight.
E-Estimated

                                                0.42
                                         NA  
                                                                                                                                    
                                                         NA           NA    

                                                                          
                                                                                        
Divisional Temperature & Precipitation                           0.16         0.08     0.95
    (weighted by geographic area)                                     NA             
 Division         Avg Temp      Tot Prec            0.00
 Mountains           76           0.4
 Northwest           81           0.2
 North Central       81           0.0
 Northeast           81           0.3
 West Central        83           0.0
 Central             83           0.1
 Southern            82           0.3                      NA   

 Statewide           82           0.2                                    1.07
* NA=Not Available
  M=Missing
  E=Estimate
                                                           NA   
Contact Information

Robert A. Graham, Director    
Stephen Pavlasek, Jr., Deputy Director
Phone:     803-765-5333
E-mail:    nass-sc@nass.usda.gov
Website:   http://www.nass.usda.gov/sc/