sc-crop-weather State South Carolina Crop Weather Release Date, Week Ending Date Week Ending October 31, 2004 Issue SC-CW1433 Agricultural Summary Low clouds covered most of South Carolina last week. Temperatures were in the 70's with little rain accumulation across the area. The cloudy conditions and heavy dews delayed cotton harvesting in some areas, although most crops fared well during the week. Overall soil moisture was 1% very short, 12% short, 86% adequate, and 1% surplus. There were 5.5 days suitable for field work. Field Crops Report COTTON condition was fair to mostly good with 99 percent of bolls opened and 53 percent of the crop harvested. PEANUT harvesting was 79 percent completed with the crop in fair to mostly good condition. SOYBEANS were 48 percent matured and 19 percent harvested by week's end and remained in mostly good condition. SORGHUM remained in mostly good condition with 99 percent of the crop matured and 86 percent harvested. Almost all TOBACCO stalks had been plowed under the end of last week. SWEET POTATO condition remained poor to fair with 82 percent harvested at week's end. Fruits, Vegetables and Specialty Crops Report APPLE harvesting was 95 percent completed by week's end, and PECAN harvesting was 34 percent completed. Small Grains, Pasture and Livestock Report All SMALL GRAIN crops were in mostly good condition for the week. WINTER WHEAT was 45 percent planted and 35 percent emerged. BARLEY planting was 65 percent completed with 49 percent emerged. OAT planting was 58 percent completed with 35 percent emerged, and RYE planting was 59 percent completed with 45 percent emerged. PASTURES and LIVESTOCK remained in mostly good condition for the week. WINTER GRAZINGS planting continued with 80 percent of the crop planted and 69 percent emerged in mostly good condition by week's end. Crop Progress Table ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Yr : 5 Yr Crop Phase 2004 2003 Avg.:Crop Phase 2004 2003 Avg ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --Percent-- --Percent-- Apples Harvested 95 97 94 :Sorghum Harvested 86 86 86 Barley Planted 65 64 61 :Soybeans Turned Color 95 95 94 Barley Emerged 49 45 42 :Soybeans Leaves Dropped 71 71 69 Cotton Bolls Opened 99 91 96 :Soybeans Matured 48 44 47 Cotton Harvested 53 34 48 :Soybeans Harvested 19 20 19 Oats Planted 58 52 54 :SwtPotatoes Harvested 82 91 87 Oats Emerged 35 36 39 :Tobacco Stalks Dest. 99 100 100 Peanuts Harvested 79 79 79 :Winter Graz.Planted 80 71 73 Pecans Harvested 34 33 31 :Winter Graz.Emerged 69 51 57 Rye Planted 59 57 53 :Winter Wht. Planted 45 41 30 Rye Emerged 45 42 39 :Winter Wht. Emerged 35 32 21 Sorghum Matured 99 99 99 : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Condition Table ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Very Excel- Very Excel- Crop Poor Poor Fair Good lent :Crop Poor Poor Fair Good lent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Percent -- -- Percent-- Apples 0 0 60 40 0 :Rye 0 2 36 62 0 Barley 0 0 20 80 0 :Sorghum 0 0 15 84 1 Cotton 0 5 21 63 11 :Soybeans 0 4 23 60 13 Livestock 0 1 19 65 15 :Sweetpotato 20 35 44 1 0 Oats 0 0 22 78 0 :Winter Graz. 0 2 26 71 1 Pastures 0 2 27 64 7 :Winter Wheat 0 1 21 74 4 Peanuts 0 2 22 61 15 : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ South Carolina Weekly Weather Summary for the Week Ending October 31, 2004 Daily afternoon temperatures warmed into the upper 70' through the work week. Widely scattered showers fell early Tuesday. Cloudiness spread over the State on Thursday in response to a weak frontal boundary. High temperatures adjusted with the limited sunshine and peaked in the 60's. After a mostly sunny Friday, a secondary cold front approached Saturday. Showers began in the upstate late Saturday and passed eastward into Sunday morning. Slightly cooler air and clearing skies ended the week. For the period, the State average temperature was three degrees above normal. The highest official temperature reported was 85 degrees at Jamestown on October 20. The lowest official temperature reported was 43 degrees at Caesars Head on the morning of October 23. The heaviest official 24-hour rainfall reported was 1.15" at Edisto Beach State Park ending at 7:00 a.m. on October 19. The average statewide rainfall for the period was 0.2@ SOIL: 4 inch depth average soil temperature: Columbia 72 degrees. RIVERS AND SURF: South Carolina river stages were near normal. Surf temperatures at Myrtle Beach and Savannah will average around 71 degrees. Precipitation Weekly Jan 1 Deviation Total Total From Avg Greer 0.35 37.5 -4.2 Columbia 0.42 38.1 -3.3 Orangeburg 0.06 36.1 -4.7 Charlotte, NC 0.10 38.3 +2.1 Augusta, GA 0.04 35.3 -1.4 Florence 0.46 37.0 -1.1 Myrtle Beach 0.08 42.0 +3.3 Charleston 0.34 36.8 -8.2 Savannah, GA 0.24 34.4 -9.4 Weekly rainfall totals ending midnight Sunday. CLT 0.10 GSP 0.35 FLO CAE 0.46 0.42 MYR AGS 0.08 0.04 OBG 0.06 CHS 0.34 SAV 0.24 NEW! The South Carolina State Climatology Office has created the first ever South Carolina Weather Calendar. The 2005 calendar offers twelve months of spectacular, full-color photos portraying South Carolina's spectrum of changeable weather. Each month contains temperature and precipitation tables plus amazing daily historical South Carolina weather facts. Expanded features help you prepare for severe weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms, and provide tips on conserving water during drought conditions. You'll have an advantage on spring and fall planting with a reference table on median dates of spring and fall freezes. In short, this calendar contains everything you've ever wanted to know about South Carolina's weather. Only $12.95 plus $2 shipping and handling! Call toll-free 1-888-644-9453. 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/