Agricultural Summary

Another week of mostly dry weather gave farmers 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Light rain fell over most of the State; however, more rain is needed to sustain the yield potential of late planted crops. State-wide, topsoil moisture rates 5 percent very short, 34 percent short, 59 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus, a drop of 8 points in adequate and surplus since last week. Subsoil moisture rates 3 percent very short, 27 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Field Crops Report

Eighty-five percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage, 19 days behind last year and 20 days behind normal. Fifty-seven percent of the crop is dented, over two weeks behind last year and normal. Nine percent is mature, 14 days behind last year and 18 days behind normal. Overall, condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 38 percent good, and 9 percent excellent. Ninety-one percent of the soybean crop is blooming, 6 days behind last year and 14 days behind normal. Sixty-nine percent are setting pods, 14 days behind last year and 15 days behind normal. Four percent is turning color, 11 days behind last year and normal. Soybean condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 34 percent good, and 8 percent excellent, virtually unchanged from a week earlier. Rice heading is 97 percent complete, 6 days behind last year and about the same as normal. Rice condition was reported as 5 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 48 percent excellent. Cotton boll opening advanced 12 points from last week to 16 percent, 14 days behind last year and 7 days behind normal. Cotton condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 8 percent excellent, similar to a week earlier. Sorghum heading is at 88 percent, 10 days behind last year and over two weeks behind normal. Thirty-eight percent is turning color, 13 days behind last year and 14 days behind normal. Three percent is mature, over two weeks behind last year and normal. Sorghum condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. Third cutting alfalfa is 78 percent harvested, 7 days behind last year and 10 days behind normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 49 percent good and 6 percent excellent. Hay supply is rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. Stock water supplies are 4 percent short, 92 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus.

Weather Summary

Temperatures ranged from 4 degrees below normal to 2 degrees above normal over most of the State. The warm, sunny weather continues to advance all crops toward maturity. The average first 32 degree frost date, according to the National Weather Service, for select communities is Carrollton (Oct. 13), Clinton (Oct. 17), Kirksville (Oct. 11), Lamar (Oct. 24), New Madrid (Oct. 28), Springfield (Oct. 21), and Cape Girardeau (Oct. 24). Rainfall for the week averaged 0.54 inches, ranging from 0.22 in the southwest district to 0.95 inches in the central district.