Agricultural Summary

A dry week with hot temperatures inflicted serious stress on pastures and decreased soil moisture. Row crops also came under stress, especially the northeastern quarter of the state. Topsoil moisture fell 14 points from last week in the adequate and surplus categories to 37 percent very short, 41 percent short, and 22 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture is rated 22 percent very short, 47 percent short, and 31 percent adequate. The most serious moisture deficits are in the north-central, northeast, east-central, and southeast districts. Only the west-central and southwest districts are near or above 50 percent adequate in topsoil and subsoil moisture levels. There were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report

Sixty-nine percent of the corn crop is in dough stage, 3 days behind last year and 2 days behind the five-year average of 74 percent. Thirty-two percent is dented, 3 days behind last year and slightly behind normal. Corn condition in the north-central, northeast, central, and east-central districts declined significantly, while the other major corn districts showed modest improvement. A report from the northeast commented that fields in the driest areas are maturing early, which will likely cut yields. Overall, condition is rated 6 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 13 percent excellent, a drop of 5 points in good to excellent. Seventy-four percent of the soybean crop is blooming, 6 days behind average and 3 days behind the 5-year average of 78 percent. Forty-four percent is setting pods, 2 days behind last year but marginally ahead of normal. Soybean condition is rated 6 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 38 percent good, and 6 percent excellent, 6 points below last week in good to excellent. Considerable deterioration in condition was seen in the same areas as the largest declines in corn condition. Sorghum heading is at 66 percent, 8 days behind last year and 3 days behind normal. Twelve percent is turning color, 5 days behind last year 2 days behind average. Sorghum condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 44 percent good, and 6 percent excellent, down 6 points in good to excellent from last week. Rice heading is at 59 percent, even with last year and 2 days ahead of normal. Rice condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 58 percent good, and 24 percent excellent. Cotton setting bolls is at 87 percent, 3 days behind last year but slightly ahead of normal. Four percent of bolls are opening. Cotton condition is rated 5 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. The third cutting of alfalfa is 48 percent complete, over 1 week behind last year and 4 days behind average.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition experienced a sharp decline during the week, falling 10 points in the good and excellent categories to 16 percent very poor, 25 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 19 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. The north-central, northeast, east-central, and southeast districts are all 5 percent or less in good to excellent, while the northwest is not much better at 11 percent. Conditions are better in the west-central and southwest districts, but reporters stated that pasture and hay quality are becoming an issue after severe drought last year, the April freeze, and July flooding. Hay supply is rated 12 percent very short, 39 percent short, 48 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. All districts are less than 50 percent adequate to surplus except the west-central, central, and southwest. Stock water supply is estimated at 4 percent very short, 18 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. While livestock water has not been an issue thus far, reports in the driest areas are starting to indicate shortages.

Weather Summary

Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees above normal. High temperatures reached the mid- to upper-90’s in most areas. Rainfall averaged 0.22 inches, with the west-central district receiving 0.90 inches, the northwest 0.59 inches, and all other districts about two-tenths inch or less.