sc-crop-weather State South Carolina Crop Weather Release Date, Week Ending Date Week Ending August 14, 2005 Issue SC-CW1425 Agricultural Summary Beneficial rains fell again over most of the State last week. Cotton was thriving in the hot moist temperatures. However, growers were trying the get tobacco out of the fields due to the high moisture that had prevented or slowed harvesting previously. Peanut growers also were concerned that the crop would suffer due to the large amount of rain and humidity. Overall most crops were looking good. Soil moisture was 6% short, 87% adequate and 7% surplus. There were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Field Crops Report CORN remained in good condition with most of the crop doughed and about 70 percent matured. Harvesting had started and the yields looked excellent. SOYBEAN's continued turning color and remained in mostly good condition. Most of the COTTON crop was in good shape with bolls rapidly setting as hot, humid conditions prevailed. SORGHUM crop progress continued near normal with the crop in good condition. Most of the PEANUT crop had pegged by week's end and that crop also continued in good condition. TOBACCO harvesting was almost two-thirds done as farmers got into fields that were a little drier. The crop remained in fair to mostly good condition, however some growers were concerned that their crop might be overly ripe. Fruits, Vegetable and Specialty Crops Report CANTALOUPE harvesting had caught up to normal by week's end, but WATERMELONS continued slightly behind normal for the season. TOMATO harvesting was completed last week. PEACHES were 75 percent harvested by week's end and the crop continued in good condition. APPLE condition remained fair to mostly good. Livestock, Pastures and Small Grains Report LIVESTOCK remained in good condition last week although the high temperatures were stressing some animals. PASTURES remained in mostly good condition and summer HAY harvesting was progressing at a normal pace. Crop Progress Table ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Yr : 5 Yr Crop Phase 2005 2004 Avg :Crop Phase 2005 2004 Avg ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --Percent-- --Percent-- Cantaloups Harvested 99 99 99 :Sorghum Turned Color 65 69 64 Corn Dough Stage 99 99 98 :Sorghum Matured 35 39 25 Corn Matured 70 75 76 :Sorghum Harvested 5 7 6 Corn Harvested 10 13 17 :Soybeans Bloomed 79 88 73 Cotton Squared 98 100 99 :Soybeans Pods Set 42 57 43 Cotton Bolls Set 67 91 81 :Soybeans Turning Color 2 3 4 Cotton Open Bolls 3 6 5 :Tobacco Harvested 64 71 64 Other Hay Harvested 90 93 88 :Tobacco Stalks Dest. 7 14 12 Peaches Harvested 75 79 81 :Tomatoes Harvested 100 99 100 Peanuts Pegged 95 94 96 :Watermelons Harvested 94 99 99 Sorghum Headed 97 100 89 : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Condition Table ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Very Excel- Very Excel- Crop Poor Poor Fair Good lent :Crop Poor Poor Fair Good lent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Percent -- -- Percent-- Apples 0 0 25 75 0 :Peanuts 0 1 9 75 15 Corn 0 2 14 67 17 :Sorghum 0 1 12 83 4 Cotton 0 2 17 74 7 :Soybeans 0 1 17 71 11 Livestock 0 0 20 75 5 :Sweetpotato 0 0 90 10 0 Pastures 0 2 18 69 11 :Tobacco 1 2 31 60 6 Peaches 0 1 6 85 8 : ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Carolina Weekly Weather Summary for the Week Ending August 14, 2005 Widespread thundershowers were observed on both Monday through Friday. The slow moving, convective cells were responsible for intense downpours. During the week daily amounts exceeding two inches were reported at Walhalla, Pelion, Bennettsville, Sandhill, Lake Moultrie, Jamestown and Cedar Creek. While upstate and central locations have received surplus rains, sites within the coastal counties report a yearly deficit of between six and ten inches. Hot, humid weather ended the week with middle 90’s reported on both Saturday and Sunday. For the period, the state average temperature was one degree above normal. The highest official temperature reported was 95 degrees at Cheraw on August 13 and at Orangeburg on August 14. The lowest official temperature reported was 62 degrees at Caesars Head on the morning of August 10. The heaviest 24-hour rainfall reported was 4.25 inches at Sandy Run ending at 7:00 am on August 10. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 1.0 inches. SOIL: 4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 83 degrees. RIVERS AND SURF: South Carolina river stages were near to below normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 83 degrees. Precipitation Weekly Jan 1 Deviation Total Total From Avg Greer 1.07 38.4 5.9 Columbia 1.76 35.3 3.0 Orangeburg 1.32 28.2 -3.4 Charlotte, NC 1.15 27.8 0.4 Augusta, GA 0.59 34.4 4.8 Florence 0.31 29.0 -0.3 Myrtle Beach 0.82 17.5 -9.8 Charleston 1.68 26.2 -6.5 Savannah, GA 1.71 30.3 -1.9 Weekly rainfall totals this period ending midnight Sunday. Contact Information Robert A. Graham, Director Jean Besco, IT Specialist Phone: 803-765-5333 E-mail: nass-sc@nass.usda.gov Website: http://www.nass.usda.gov/sc