Agricultural Summary

Late planted crops and pastures benefited from the much needed rainfall last week supplied by the remnants of hurricane Gustav. However, cool temperatures and heavy rains have slowed crop progress and fieldwork. Crop conditions are very similar to a week earlier. State-wide, topsoil moisture rates 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus, an increase of 29 points in adequate and surplus since last week. There were 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report

Ninety-two percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage, and 72 percent of the crop is dented, 15 days behind last year and 19 days behind normal. Seventeen percent is mature, over two weeks behind last year and three weeks behind normal. Harvest has begun in the southern districts as well as the west-central area. Overall, condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 10 percent excellent, similar to a week earlier. Ninety-five percent of the soybean crop has bloomed, 9 days behind last year and 17 days behind normal. Eighty percent are setting pods, 16 days behind last year and 17 days behind normal. Ten percent is turning color, 12 days behind last year and normal. Two percent is dropping leaves. Soybean condition is rated 5 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 36 percent good, and 8 percent excellent, similar to a week earlier. Rice heading is virtually complete, while condition rates 7 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 45 percent excellent. The cotton crop has 28 percent with bolls opening, over two weeks behind last year and almost a week behind normal. Cotton condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 8 percent excellent, virtually unchanged from a week earlier. Sorghum heading is at 96 percent, 2 days ahead of last year but 10 days behind normal. Fifty-two percent is turning color, 8 days behind last year and 14 days behind normal. Ten percent is mature, over one week behind last year and normal. Sorghum harvest is underway in the Bootheel. Sorghum condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 7 percent excellent, virtually unchanged from a week earlier. Third cutting alfalfa is 79 percent harvested, 13 days behind last year and 16 days behind normal. Hay harvest came to a virtual standstill, only 1 point more than last week.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition continues to be rated better than normal at 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 52 percent good and 7 percent excellent.

Weather Summary

It was a cool week throughout the State, as temperatures were 2 to 10 degrees below average in most areas. Rainfall for the week averaged 3.26 inches, ranging from 1.49 in the northwest district to 4.42 inches in the southwest district. Counties in the southwest district received between 3 and 6 inches, with Barry County reporting 6.31 inches.