Agricultural Summary

Rain fell statewide during the week, putting a temporary halt to early harvesting activities. Despite the delay, the corn, rice, and cotton harvests are still running ahead of normal. The rain improved soil moisture supplies, but was too late in most areas to help crop conditions with the exception of double-crop soybeans in a few scattered areas. Pastures were revived by the moisture, although it is yet to be seen if they will produce late-season hay and forage. Stock water supplies were improved by heavy rains in many central and southern counties. Topsoil moisture rates 19 percent very short, 31 percent short, 45 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. There were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report

The corn crop is almost completely dented at 97 percent. Seventy-six percent is mature, 2 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of average. Harvest is 29 percent complete, marginally behind last year but 3 days ahead of the 5-year average of 24 percent. Harvest reports from the northern districts indicated a wide range of yields. Ralls County, as well as several other northern areas, reported very poor stalk quality due to insects and wind damage, resulting in higher than normal field losses. The condition rating is 8 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 35 percent good, and 8 percent excellent. Forty-one percent of the soybean crop is turning color, with 15 percent dropping leaves, both slightly ahead of last year and normal. Four percent is mature. Marion County in the northeast reported sudden-death syndrome that is causing unnatural maturation. Harvest has begun in the Bootheel. Soybean condition rates 11 percent very poor, 20 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 27 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Sorghum turning color is at 74 percent, 12 days behind last year and 1 week behind normal. Thirty-one percent is mature, 6 days behind last year and 4 days behind average. Harvest is 8 percent complete, a few days behind normal. Sorghum condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 47 percent fair, 35 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Rice harvest is 21 percent complete, 4 days ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of average. Condition rates 2 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 22 percent excellent. Cotton boll opening is at 88 percent, over 3 weeks ahead of last year and normal. Harvest is 11 percent complete. Cotton condition is rated 10 percent very poor, 23 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 33 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. The third cutting of alfalfa is 91 percent complete, even with the 5-year average.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is rated 29 percent very poor, 25 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 12 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. The southwest district improved considerably to 30 percent good to excellent, up 17 percentage points in those categories. Other districts experienced more moderate improvements or slight declines.

Weather Summary

Temperatures averaged 1 degree above normal in the northwest and 3 to 4 degrees above normal in most other areas. Rainfall averaged 2.01 inches, ranging from 0.64 inches in the northeast district to 4.74 in the southwest. Several counties in the south-central and southwest districts received between 4 and 7 inches.