Agricultural Summary

Sunny, dry weather of the past week enabled progress of fall harvesting to continue ahead of normal for all the major crops except cotton, which was slowed by the heavy rains of late September in the Bootheel. Topsoil moisture supply ratings fell to 34 percent very short, 38 percent short, 27 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. The northeast, west-central, central and southwest districts are all indicated with moisture ratings of over 80 percent short or very short. There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report

The corn harvest moved ahead to 84 percent complete, 8 days ahead of last year and 13 days ahead of the normal pace of 73 percent. Progress by area ranges from 57 percent harvested in the northwestern district to mostly well over 90 percent complete in the southern two-thirds of the State. Ninety-one percent of the soybeans are dropping leaves or beyond and 71 percent are mature, similar to last year but about 4 days ahead of average. Condition of the crop is rated at 5 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 6 percent excellent, a minor improvement from the evaluation of a week earlier. The bean harvest is 37 percent complete, 4 days ahead of both last year and the five-year average of 27 percent. Progress is most advanced in the central and northeast districts, at about 52 percent harvested, while the southwest and south-central districts are least advanced with 4 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Ninety-five percent of the sorghum has reached maturity, a week ahead of average. Sixty-three percent of the crop is harvested, equal to last year and 3 days ahead of normal. Eighty-one percent of the rice crip has been harvested, 5 days ahead of the 75 percent 5-year average. Ninety-two percent of the cotton crop is opening bolls, 1 day behind last year and average. Progress of opening bolls is up only slightly from a week earlier, as the process was impeded in many fields which flooded before the bolls had opened. Condition of the crop is reported as 5 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 69 percent good, and 5 percent excellent, an improvement from a week ago, as flood damage could be less severe than expected. Twenty-two percent of the cotton is harvested, 5 days behind both last year and average. Twenty-eight percent of the winter wheat crop for next year has been planted, 2 days ahead of the 24 percent average. Seven percent of the crop has emerged, similar to last year and normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition ratings fell to 37 percent very poor, 27 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 11 percent good, and 2 percent excellent, as available moisture supplies in much of the State are insufficient to sustain normal fall growth. Farmers in many areas are concerned with both the shortages of hay for winter and the escalating prices of hay for sale. Many stock ponds also have abnormally low water levels.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were mostly 5 to 6 degrees above normal, but ranged from near normal in a few southern counties to as much as 9 degrees above average in the extreme northwest. Rainfall was virtually non-existent in all areas of the State.