Agricultural Summary

Moderate temperatures and soaking rain nearly statewide improved soybean conditions and perked up dormant pastures, while early corn harvest saw mixed yield reports. Topsoil moisture supplies improved substantially from last week to 17 percent very short, 28 percent short, 47 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Several districts showed dramatic improvements, although the southwest and east-central districts were helped only marginally. Most areas are still in need of rain to boost subsoil moisture and refill creeks and ponds. There were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report

Ninety percent of the corn crop is dented, which is 3 days ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of normal. Fifty-two percent is mature, 1 day ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the 5-year average of 38 percent. Harvest is 9 percent complete, 4 days ahead of both last year and normal. Harvest has advanced rapidly in west-central and southwestern areas due to rapid dry-down. Reporters in those areas are seeing variable yields, with some of the poorest areas less drought-damaged than expected. Northern districts are maturing near the normal pace, with the bulk of their harvest starting later in September. Corn condition is rated 6 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 6 percent excellent, nearly the same as last week. Soybean pod set is at 93 percent, about even with last year but 4 days ahead of average. Soybeans turning color is at 9 percent, 2 days behind both last year and normal, while 2 percent are dropping leaves. Condition of the bean crop rates 8 percent very poor, 19 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 34 percent good, and 6 percent excellent, an improvement of 6 points over last week in good to excellent and 10 points better than last year at this time. There were reports of isolated problems, including sudden death syndrome in Marion County, spots of dead plants and defoliation due to dryness in Dade County, and heavy flights of pod worm moths in the Bootheel. Sorghum heading is virtually complete, while 73 percent is turning color, 2 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of normal. Sorghum mature is at 19 percent, about 3 days ahead of both last year and normal. Sorghum condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 45 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Nearly all the rice crop is headed, while harvest has just gotten started at 1 percent complete. Rice condition is rated 3 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 33 percent excellent. Cotton opening bolls is at 21 percent, 5 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of normal. Condition of the crop is 5 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 65 percent good, and 8 percent excellent. Producers with alfalfa left to cut were mainly doing spot cutting of fields. The third cutting is 91 percent harvested, 11 days ahead of last year and 2 weeks ahead of average.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is rated 34 percent very poor, 31 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 11 percent good, and 1 percent excellent, a modest improvement over last week. Reporters indicated that pastures are greening and breaking dormancy, but have not shown much growth yet. However, recent rain is improving hopes of revived fall pastures.

Weather Summary

Most of the state experienced near normal temperatures for the week, although a few central counties were 3 to 4 degrees above average. The State did well on rainfall, averaging 1.49 inches. Every district received over an inch except the northeast, which was just shy at 0.95 inches. Receiving the most was the central district at 2.49 inches and the west-central at 2.43. Localized totals of 4 to 8 inches and isolated flash flooding were reported in those same districts.