Agricultural Summary

In typical spring conditions, many areas had fieldwork interrupted by showers and storms, while farmers with adequately dry soils were active in preparing them for spring row crop planting. There were 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Fertilizer application was common when the weather permitted, while 37 percent of spring tillage has been completed statewide, about on pace with last year and normal. Corn planting picked up in southern counties, with nearly the entire state ready to plant as soon as soil conditions allow. Meanwhile, melon and potato planting have begun in the Bootheel. Planting will be done into excellent soil moisture, as topsoil moisture levels are rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rates 2 percent very short, 20 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Field Crops Report

Corn planting is 9 percent complete for the state, the same as last year and 2 days ahead of average. The southeast district advanced to 50 percent complete, the southwest 11 percent, and the south-central 10 percent. Sorghum planting got underway at 2 percent complete, most of it in the Bootheel. Rice planting is 4 percent complete, 3 days ahead of last year and over 1 week ahead of normal. Winter wheat condition for the state is rated 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 15 percent excellent, nearly unchanged from last week.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is reported 3 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 44 percent fair, 36 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Even though most early comments on pasture have been favorable, hay supply is still a concern, estimated at 39 percent very short, 32 percent short, 28 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Stock water supplies, on the other hand, are much improved from last year at 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were substantially above average throughout the state, ranging from 14 to 20 degrees above normal, with most areas near the upper end of that range. Rainfall for the week averaged 1.12 inches, ranging from 0.68 inches in the southwest district to 1.50 inches in the northwest. Only the west-central and southwest districts received less than 1 inch.