Agricultural Summary

Heavy weekend rains halted fieldwork after producers planted over a million acres of crops for the second consecutive week. Topsoil moisture was rated 3 percent short, 55 percent adequate, and 42 percent surplus. There were 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork, mostly before Friday. The southwest district had 5.7 days suitable, almost a full day more than any other district. Spring tillage advanced to 69 percent complete, 26 days ahead of last year’s 47 percent and 15 days ahead of the 5-year average of 56 percent complete.

Field Crops Report

Corn planting averaged 69 percent complete, up 29 points from last week. This is 26 days ahead of last year’s 24 percent and almost 19 days ahead of the normal of 42 percent complete. The southeast district has nearly completed planting, averaging 95 percent complete, whereas the northwest district averaged 54 percent complete. Heavy rainfall may cause some producers to replant corn. Corn emerged was 20 percent, almost 15 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of normal. Soybean planting has just begun, averaging 5 percent complete, 15 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of normal. The southeast district averaged 10 percent complete. Cotton planting was 10 percent complete, slightly ahead of last year but 2 days behind normal. Rice planting jumped 44 points to 84 percent complete, a full month ahead of last year and 22 days ahead of normal. Rice emerged was at 27 percent, 11 days ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of normal. Sorghum planting was reported at 7 percent complete, 20 days ahead of last year, but similar to normal. Winter wheat was 4 percent headed, mostly in the southeast district. This is the same as last year, but 6 days behind normal. Wheat condition was rated 11 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 31 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. The wheat crop is in poorer condition than last year with 27 percent poor to very poor compared to 8 percent last year. Conditions in the east-central and southwest districts were rated 60 and 69 percent poor to very poor, respectively. Reports across the State indicate producers are plowing up some wheat fields in poor condition with thin stands and intend to replace them with row crops.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition slightly improved to 1 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. Pasture condition is better than normal, with 15 percent poor to very poor compared to 21 percent.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were near average. Statewide rainfall averaged 2.39 inches across the State. The north-central and northeast districts reported the most precipitation with 3.30 and 3.46 inches, respectively, while the southwest district reported the least with 1.59 inches. Most rainfall was received at week’s end.