Agricultural Summary

Unseasonably cool temperatures continue across the State. Statewide, topsoil moisture is rated 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Topsoil moisture rated adequate to surplus is 88 percent compared to 62 percent last year and a normal of 59 percent. There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report

Ninety-one percent of the corn is in the dough stage, 7 day ahead of last year but 7 days behind normal. Corn dent is 66 percent complete, 5 days ahead of last year but 10 days behind the normal of 82 percent. Thirteen percent of the corn is mature, 4 days ahead of last year but 14 days behind a normal of 42 percent. Corn condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 16 percent excellent. Soybean blooming is at 95 percent, 8 days ahead of last year but 7 days behind a normal of 98 percent. Eighty-one percent are setting pods, 9 days ahead of last year but 6 days behind normal. Soybeans turning color is 4 percent, 1 day ahead of last year but 8 days behind the normal of 13 percent. Some soybeans have begun to drop leaves. Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) was reported in soybeans in the west-central and east-central districts. Soybean condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Cotton has set bolls on 99 percent of this year’s crop. Cotton opening bolls is at 2 percent, 12 days behind last year and 22 days behind normal. Cotton condition is 12 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. Rice heading is 72 percent complete, 17 days behind last year and 20 days behind the normal of 98 percent. Rice condition is rated 4 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 25 percent excellent. Sorghum heading is 87 percent, the same as last year but 13 days behind a normal of 95 percent. Sorghum turning color is 42 percent complete, 3 days ahead of last year but 10 days behind normal. Sorghum mature is at 10 percent, 8 days ahead of last year but 3 days behind normal. Sorghum condition is rated 4 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 9 percent excellent. The third cutting of alfalfa is 75 percent complete, the same as last year but 8 days behind normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is rated 3 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Pasture condition rated good to excellent is 69 percent compared to 56 percent last year and a normal of 33 percent.

Weather Summary

Temperatures averaged 5 to 9 degrees below average across the State. Rainfall averaged 0.43 of an inch for the week. The north-central district recorded the most precipitation with 1.15 inches, while the driest districts were the west-central, southwest, and south-central at less than 0.10 of an inch. Mercer county reported 4.05 inches last week.