Agricultural Summary

Wet weather conditions continued to hamper fieldwork. Producers made little progress with planting corn, applying fertilizer applications, and other spring activities. There were 1.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Ponds are full and water is still standing in some areas in the southwest and south-central parts of the State. Spring tillage is 18 percent complete, over a month behind last year and the 5-year average. Topsoil moisture fell 8 points from last week in the surplus category to 46 percent surplus and 54 percent adequate.

Field Crops Report

Corn planting advanced only 2 percentage points over last week to 4 percent complete, more than three weeks behind last year and normal. Continued rains and cool weather delayed corn planting across the State, although progress improved in the southeast district by 9 percentage points over last week. Growers' concerns about the optimal planting period continue to rise. Winter wheat condition for the State is rated 6 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 5 percent excellent, nearly unchanged from last week. Vernon County reported some diseases and yellowing of the wheat crop due to excessive moisture and lack of sunshine. Rice planting is 2 percent complete compared to 19 percent planted last year and 27 percent for normal. Cotton planting is 2 percent complete compared to 7 percent normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 42 percent fair, 33 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Pasture conditions improved from the previous week; however excess moisture and below normal temperatures continued to slow pasture growth.

Weather Summary

Temperatures averaged 1 to 7 degrees below normal for the week. State-wide rainfall averaged 0.78 inches. The north-central district received the most at 1.39 inches followed by the northwest district at 1.11 inches. All other districts received between one-half inch to one inch.