Agricultural Summary

Cool, cloudy conditions and consistent rain kept fieldwork to a minimum in most of the State, allowing 1.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Soybean planting and corn side-dressing have been delayed, while spring tillage, at 85 percent complete, advanced only 1 percent from last week. The recent rains, however, have improved the agricultural outlook in several respects, including row-crop germination, pasture growth, stock water supplies, and soil moisture. Topsoil moisture supply is in good shape, rated at 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. The southeast district was again plagued by severe weather. Mississippi County suffered some hail damage to its corn, cotton, wheat, potato, and watermelon crops.

Field Crops Report

Corn planting progress was minimal over the past week. Ninety-three percent of the crop is planted, compared with 90 percent last week, although the pace is still 5 days ahead of last year and 18 days ahead of the 5-year average of 81 percent. Emergence is at 75 percent, nearly 1 week ahead of last year and 11 days beyond normal. Reporters indicate that early-emerged corn could use some sun to get it growing. Soybean planting, at 15 percent complete, has fallen behind last year’s pace of 19 percent, but is even with the historical average. Sorghum planting is 34 percent complete, compared with 22 percent last year and 27 percent for the 5-year average. Rice planting is 90 percent complete, while emergence is at 80 percent, both over two weeks ahead of normal. Condition of the crop is 18 percent fair, 76 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. Cotton planting is 47 percent complete, lagging both last year and the 5-year average by a few days. Wheat condition improved slightly from last week at 3 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 8 percent excellent. Eighty-three percent of the crop is headed, 12 days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of normal. Central and southern areas are starting to see isolated areas of the crop turn, with the State averaging 2 percent turning color. Wheat that is not in the mature stages, primarily in northern areas, has grown significantly after recent moisture. The first cutting of alfalfa is 6 percent complete, while other hay is 3 percent cut, both ahead of average.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is rated 7 percent very poor, 18 percent poor, 43 percent fair, 28 percent good, and 4 percent excellent, a significant improvement over last week. Isolated areas in the southwest are still severely short of stock water supplies, but most reports state-wide indicate that run-off has started to refill ponds and streams.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were near normal for the week. Readings throughout the State deviated, at most, 2 degrees from the long-term average. Rainfall averaged 1.15 inches for the week. Each district received over one-half inch, with the largest amount falling in the southwest district at 2.10 inches.