Agricultural Summary

Cool, wet weather kept soil saturated and farmers out of the fields. Topsoil moisture was rated 46 percent adequate and 54 percent surplus. The south-central and southeast districts reported less than 15 percent surplus whereas all other districts reported 35 percent surplus or more. There were 1.1 days suitable for fieldwork on average. The southern third of the State reported 2-3 days suitable compared with the northern 2/3 of the State, which reported less than one day. Spring tillage was 81 percent complete, 5 days ahead of last year’s 74 percent, but 2 days behind the 5-year average of 83 percent complete.

Field Crops Report

Corn planting averaged 86 percent complete, virtually unchanged from last week. This is 5 days ahead of last year’s 77 percent, but similar to normal. The southern third of the state has nearly completed planting. Corn emerged reached 72 percent, 8 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of normal. Corn condition was rated 7 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 39 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Soybean planting averaged 22 percent complete, up only 4 points from last week. This is a day behind last year’s 25 percent and 8 days behind the normal of 43. The southeast district averaged 55 percent complete, greater than 37 points higher than the rest of the State. The soybean crop was 14 percent emerged Statewide, 4 days ahead of last year, but nearly 2 days behind normal. Cotton planting moved to 96 percent complete, up 7 points from last week. This is 14 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of normal. Cotton condition was rated 7 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 67 percent good, and 2 percent excellent. Rice was 99 percent emerged, 22 days ahead of last year and 20 days ahead of normal. Rice condition was rated 2 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 67 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Sorghum planting was reported at 22 percent complete, a day behind last year and 11 days behind normal. Winter wheat averaged 81 percent headed, led by the south-central and southeast districts at 100 percent. This is similar to last year, but nearly 4 days behind normal. Wheat condition was rated 10 percent very poor, 23 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 28 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. First cutting of alfalfa was 15 percent complete, 3 days behind last year and 9 days behind normal. Other hay was 6 percent cut, 3 days behind last year and 7 days behind normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 10 percent excellent, virtually unchanged from a week ago. This year, 64 percent of the pasture was rated good to excellent condition compared with the 5-year average of 48 percent.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were closer to normal this week, averaging from 2 degrees below to 1 degree above average statewide, with the warmer temperatures seen in the Bootheel. Rainfall averaged 1.57 inches across the State. The northeast district reported the least amount of precipitation with 1.08 inches, while the southwest district had nearly 2 inches. Cedar, Polk, and Texas counties received the largest amounts of moisture, with over 3 inches of precipitation each.