Agricultural Summary

A week of excessive heat stressed crops, pastures, and livestock throughout the state. Some areas experienced temperatures in the 90’s. Lowland producers along the Salt River have pastures and crops underwater. State-wide, topsoil moisture rates 2 percent very short, 17 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rates 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. There were 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report

The corn crop is 86 percent silked, 13 days behind last year and 14 days behind normal. Thirty percent is in the dough stage, 14 days behind last year and 15 days behind normal. Corn condition rated 3 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 41 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Forty-eight percent of the soybeans are blooming, 13 days behind last year and 14 days behind normal. Seventeen percent are setting pods, 12 days behind last year and 11 days behind normal. Soybean condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 42 percent fair, 36 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. Rice heading is at 44 percent complete, 7 days behind last year and 3 days behind normal. Rice condition was reported as 1 percent poor, 10 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 44 percent excellent. Cotton setting bolls is 93 complete, 14 days ahead of last year and 9 days ahead of normal. Cotton condition rated 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 62 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. Sorghum heading is at 46 percent, 9 days behind last year and 10 days behind normal. Five percent is turning color, 9 days behind last year and normal. Sorghum condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 46 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Second cutting alfalfa is 80 percent harvested, 15 days behind last year and 22 days behind normal, while the third cutting is 13 percent complete, 14 days behind last year and 18 days behind normal. Other hay is 88 percent cut, 18 days behind last year and 26 days behind average.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 56 percent good and 11 percent excellent. This year 67 percent of the pastures are in good to excellent condition compared with 28 percent normal and 25 percent last year. Hay supply is rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 85 percent adequate, 5 percent surplus. Stock water supplies are 2 short, 86 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus.

Weather Summary

Temperatures during the past week ranged from near normal to 6 degrees above normal over most of the state. Rainfall for the week averaged 1.77 inches, ranging from 0.28 inches in the southwest district to 2.85 inches in the east-central district. Only the southwest district received less than 1 inch.