North Carolina farmers welcomed continued wet weather combined with mostly warmer than normal temperatures. The rainfall stretched across the entire State. However, the Mountain and Piedmont regions received the most precipitation with the Mountains being cooler than normal. Moisture along the Coastal Plain, where the majority of the crops are produced, was widely scattered and less appreciable.
Continued rainfall is needed as most areas are well below normal for the year.
Statewide, days suitable for fieldwork was limited to 4.9 compared to last week's estimate of 5.4. As expected, most crops have responded to the increase in soil moisture with improvements reported in germination and emergence. There were isolated incidences of corn and cotton replanting along with resetting of tobacco plants. Cotton and soybean farmers made respectable gains in planting in anticipation of the forecasted precipitation. Other activities included sorghum planting, hay baling, cultivating planted crops, pest management and tending livestock.