Agricultural Summary

A lack of precipitation during the week widened the area affected by abnormally dry conditions in the southeastern part of the state. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork. All districts reported more than 6 days suitable except the east-central district where 5.8 days were reported. Topsoil moisture was rated 12 percent very short, 28 percent short, 56 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus, a sharp decline from a week earlier. Supplies continued to be most deficient in the south-central and southeast districts where reporters indicated topsoil moisture supplies were 78 and 84 percent short to very short compared with 71 and 56 percent a week earlier.

Field Crops Report

Corn silking was 95 percent complete, 3 days ahead of last year, but 2 days behind the 5-year average (normal). Sixty-five percent of the corn was in the dough stage or beyond, 6 days ahead of last year but 2 days behind normal. The corn crop was 26 percent dented, over 4 days ahead of last year, but 3 days behind normal. Corn condition was rated 6 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 39 percent good, and 10 percent excellent, virtually unchanged from a week earlier. Soybean blooming and beyond was 77 percent complete, just over 3 days ahead of last year, but similar to normal. Forty-four percent of the soybeans were setting pods, slightly over 6 days ahead of last year, but also similar to normal. Soybean condition was rated 6 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 39 percent good, and 7 percent excellent, similar to a week ago. Bolls had set on virtually all the cotton, 26 days ahead of last year and 18 days ahead of normal. Cotton condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 22 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 44 percent good, and 4 percent excellent, a decline in condition from a week earlier. Rice was 76 percent headed. This is 25 days ahead of last year’s slow pace and 8 days ahead of normal. Rice condition improved from last week and was rated 3 percent poor, 8 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 32 percent excellent. Sorghum headed and beyond advanced rapidly to 77 percent complete, just over 13 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Twenty-eight percent of the sorghum was turning color, 16 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of normal. Sorghum was beginning to mature in the south-central and southeast. Sorghum condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 3 percent excellent, an improvement from a week earlier. The second cutting of alfalfa was 93 percent complete. This is the same as last year but nearly a week behind normal. The third cutting of alfalfa was 52 percent complete. This is just over 10 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of normal. Other hay was 95 percent cut, similar to last year, but 6 days behind normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition was rated 11 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 7 percent excellent, a slight decline than last week. Conditions in the southeast part of the state rapidly worsened due to the lack of rainfall.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were 2 to 5 degrees above normal across the State. Rainfall averaged 0.25 of an inch Statewide. The southwest district received the most precipitation with 0.64 of an inch of rainfall while reporters in the Bootheel indicated no precipitation was received in any of its counties. Miller, Jefferson and Camden counties reported the most precipitation with each receiving 1.24 inches or more.