Agricultural Summary

Minimal progress was made in the corn harvest, as farmers in northern districts shifted combines into fields of mature soybeans. Central and southern areas also made good progress with soybean harvest. Fall fertilizer application and tillage became more widespread, with fall tillage 20 percent complete for the state. Wheat planting advanced substantially in all areas. However, rain put a halt to activities late in the week. Topsoil moisture rates 19 percent very short, 37 percent short, 42 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. The three eastern districts and much of the south-central district remain quite dry. There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report

Corn harvest is 83 percent complete, an advance of only 2 points from last week. Harvest is running about 1 week behind last year but slightly ahead of normal. Ninety-two percent of the soybean crop is dropping leaves, with 78 percent mature, both about 3 days behind last year and nearly even with average. Harvest progressed 16 points to 47 percent complete, 2 days behind last year but slightly ahead of the 5-year average of 45 percent. Yields are running near normal to above average in many areas, although reports in the northeast indicate very poor yields in the driest areas, with a few fields too poor to even harvest. Soybean condition is rated 11 percent very poor, 18 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 30 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. Eighty-seven percent of the sorghum crop has reached maturity, 12 days behind last year and 9 days behind normal. Harvest is 57 percent complete, over 1 week behind last year and normal. Rice harvest is 96 percent complete, 13 days ahead of last year and 17 days ahead of normal. Cotton harvest is 81 percent complete, over 1 month in front of last year and average. Winter wheat is 41 percent planted compared with 19 percent last week and 40 percent as the 5-year average. Emergence is at 16 percent, even with normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is rated 28 percent very poor, 23 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 17 percent good, and 2 percent excellent, nearly identical to last week. A stark contrast exists among districts. The southeast, northeast, and south-central districts are rated 96, 89, and 85 percent poor to very poor. Some are planting wheat and rye for fall grazing in Pike County in the northeast district. A report in the south-central district indicated that a few farmers are selling cattle for lack of hay. By contrast, the southwest, northwest, and central districts are rated 44, 34, and 31 percent good to excellent.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were above normal by 3 to 5 degrees in most areas of the state. Rainfall averaged 0.75 inches, with the heavier amounts generally favouring the western two-thirds of the state. Totals ranged from less than one-quarter inch in the northeast and east-central districts to about one and three-quarters in the northwest.