Agricultural Summary

Below normal temperatures across much of the state and moderate rainfall continue to benefit pastures although hot, humid conditions are stressing livestock in the south-central part of the state. While most planting is generally complete, some re-planting of soybeans was reported. Farmers made good progress in harvesting wheat and alfalfa hay. Statewide, topsoil moisture is rated 18 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus. There were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report

Corn silking is 48 percent complete, 6 days ahead of last year but 7 days behind a normal of 68 percent. Corn condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 13 percent excellent, a slight improvement from last week. Soybean emergence is 95 percent, about 11 days ahead of last year but 2 days behind the 96 percent normal. Soybean blooming is at 16 percent, nearly 9 days ahead of last year but about a week behind a normal of 28 percent. Soybean condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Cotton squaring reached 68 percent complete, about 10 days behind normal. Bolls have set on 9 percent of this year’s crop, about 12 days behind a year ago and normal. Cotton condition is 17 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 41 percent good, and 4 percent excellent, virtually unchanged from a week ago. Rice condition is rated 7 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 17 percent excellent, down 5 points in the good to excellent categories from last week. Sorghum heading is 4 percent, about the same as a year ago but 12 days behind a normal of 16 percent. Sorghum condition is rated 6 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 51 percent good, and 7 percent excellent, an improvement from last week. Wheat harvest is 97 percent complete, 5 days ahead of a 5-year average of 94 percent. The second cutting of alfalfa is 60 percent complete, while other hay is 82 percent cut, both about 6 days behind normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is rated 5 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 9 percent excellent, about the same as last week. Pasture conditions are poorest in the south-central and southeast districts.

Weather Summary

Temperatures averaged 3 to 4 degrees below normal in the northeast and 1 to 2 degrees below normal across the rest of the State. Rainfall averaged 0.58 of an inch for the week. The northwest district recorded the most precipitation with 1.29 inches while the driest districts were the southwest at 0.15 of an inch and the Bootheel at 0.18 of an inch. Damaging winds and golf ball sized hail were reported in Texas County.