Agricultural Summary

Very warm, dry weather allowed producers to make substantial progress in planting soybeans and sorghum. Hay and winter wheat harvest also advanced significantly. Topsoil moisture was reduced to 14 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. The southern third of the State is 24 percent or more in short to very short top soil moisture. There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork compared to 3.4 days during this week last year.

Field Crops Report

Corn silked is 8 percent complete, 8 days behind the normal of 27 percent. Corn condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. The west-central district showed a 13 point increase in good to excellent condition. Soybean planting is 90 percent complete, 5 days behind the normal pace of 93 percent. Plantings increased 15 points from last week. Emergence is 76 percent, 10 days behind a normal of 87 percent. Soybean blooming has begun in all areas but the southwest district. Soybean condition is 2 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 8 percent excellent. Cotton squaring is 17 percent complete, 15 days behind the normal of 56 percent. Cotton condition is 1 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Rice condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 17 percent excellent. Sorghum planting is at 95 percent, 3 days ahead of the normal of 94 percent. Plantings increased 18 points over last week. Heading has begun in the north-central and central districts. Sorghum condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Wheat harvest is 58 percent complete, 3 days behind the normal of 67 percent. Harvest progressed 35 points compared to the normal of 25 points. The first cutting of alfalfa is 89 percent complete, while second cutting is 21 percent complete, 7 days behind the normal of 38 percent. Other hay is 63 percent cut, 7 days behind the normal of 73 percent. Other hay cut increased 13 points this week compared to the normal of 9 points.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is rated 2 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 58 percent good, and 15 percent excellent

Weather Summary

Temperatures ranged from 5 degrees to 9 degrees above average across the State. Rainfall averaged 0.55 inches statewide with a range of 0.17 inches in the east-central district to 1.26 inches in the west-central district. Cedar county reported 2.88 inches of rain last week.