Agricultural Summary

Warmer and drier conditions across the State have allowed progress for tillage and planting. Topsoil moisture was rated 3 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus. The biggest change in topsoil moisture occurred in the south-central district, which went from 0 to 30 percent short from last week. This was due to windy conditions and light precipitation throughout the district. There were 3.9 days suitable for fieldwork with over 6 days reported suitable in the southwestern district. Spring tillage advanced quicker than average to 27 percent complete, below last year’s 30 percent and a normal of 41 percent complete.

Field Crops Report

Corn planting progressed in all areas of the State, averaging 9 percent complete. This is 9 days ahead of last year’s 5 percent but 5 days behind the normal of 16 percent complete. The southern third advanced more rapidly than the rest of the State, averaging 32 percent, 15 percent, and 29 percent complete in the southwestern, south-central, and southeastern districts, respectively. Cotton planting was just getting started with 1 percent being complete, 8 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of normal. Rice planting was 7 percent complete, which is 1 day ahead of year but 1 day behind normal. Sorghum planting came in at 1 percent complete, 12 days ahead of last year but equal to normal. Winter wheat condition was rated 12 percent very poor, 19 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 27 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Conditions in the east-central and southwest districts were rated 39 and 43 percent very poor, respectively.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition improved to 2 percent very poor, 18 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 39 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. The poorest pasture conditions were in the south-central district, which reported 47 percent in poor condition.

Weather Summary

Temperatures averaged 7 to 12 degrees above average statewide. Rainfall averaged 0.49 of an inch across the State. The south-central district reported the least precipitation with 0.07 of an inch, while the west-central district reported the most precipitation with 1.03 inches.