Agricultural Summary

Heavy rains and winds from Hurricane Ike brought fieldwork to a standstill the latter part of the week. Some areas reported receiving up to 8 inches of rain. Reporters in the Bootheel commented wind from the hurricane damaged crops and buildings. Excessive rains once again flooded rivers and tributaries in some areas across the State. Corn in flood zones in Marion and Scotland counties were flooded above the height of the ear. State-wide, topsoil moisture rates 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 50 percent adequate, and 44 percent surplus. Surplus topsoil moisture supply increased 31 points from last week. There were 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report

Ninety-five percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage, and 81 percent of the crop is dented, nearly three weeks behind last year and normal. Thirty percent is mature, 19 days behind last year and 23 days behind normal. Harvest is 5 percent complete, 19 days behind last year and normal. Overall, condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 38 percent good, and 9 percent excellent. Soybean blooming is virtually complete. Eighty-eight percent are setting pods, about three weeks behind last year and normal. Nineteen percent is turning color, 14 days behind last year and 13 days behind normal. Five percent is dropping leaves. About a third of the crop has turned and about a sixth is dropping leaves in the Bootheel. Soybean condition is rated 5 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 34 percent good, and 9 percent excellent. Rice harvest is 6 percent complete, 14 days behind last year and 9 days behind normal. Condition rates 1 percent poor, 9 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 41 percent excellent. Cotton boll opening is at 46 percent, over two weeks behind last year and 6 days behind normal. Cotton condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 9 percent excellent. Sorghum heading is virtually complete, and 61 percent is turning color, over a week behind last year and over two weeks behind normal. Twenty-three percent is mature, about two weeks behind last year and normal. Sorghum harvest is 4 percent complete, 15 days behind last year and 10 days behind normal. Sorghum condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 8 percent excellent. Third cutting alfalfa is 81 percent harvested, 19 days behind last year and 21 days behind normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture conditions continue to improve and are rated 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 54 percent good and 9 percent excellent. Reporters in Oregon and Nodaway counties commented pastures benefited from the much needed rainfall last week.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were 1 to 6 degrees below average in the northern half of the State, while southern areas were near normal to 2 degrees above normal. Rainfall for the week averaged 3.97 inches, ranging from 0.09 inches in the southeast district to 6.43 inches in the north-central district, with Adair and Schuyler counties receiving more than 8 inches. Other than the southeast area, all other areas have received more than 7.50 inches over the past 4 weeks.