Agricultural Summary

Harvest began in the southern districts while the extreme dry conditions continue to advance maturity ahead of last season and cause crop deterioration. There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Both the southwest and south-central districts reported a full week suitable. Topsoil moisture was rated 15 percent very short, 24 percent short, 52 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus, a slight improvement over a week earlier due to weekend rains. Supplies in the southeast improved and went from 8 to 30 percent adequate to surplus; however, the southwest and south-central districts saw a decline in supplies, with 85 and 96 percent short to very short compared with 63 and 68 percent last week.

Field Crops Report

Eighty-three percent of the corn was in the dough stage or beyond, just over 3 days ahead of last year but 4 days behind the 5-year average (normal). The corn crop was 57 percent dented, just over 3 days ahead of last year, but 4 days behind normal. Corn maturing was 16 percent complete, 10 days ahead of last year but 3 days behind normal. Corn harvest is beginning in the southern third of the State. Corn condition was rated 7 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 41 percent good, and 9 percent excellent, similar to a week earlier. Soybean blooming and beyond was 90 percent complete, 2 days ahead of last year but 3 days behind normal. Sixty-nine percent of the soybeans have set pods, 3 days ahead of last year but 2 days behind normal. Soybeans turning color was 2 percent complete, 5 days ahead of last year but 2 days behind normal. Soybean condition was rated 8 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 8 percent excellent, slightly poorer than a week ago. Cotton opening bolls was 14 percent complete, just over 18 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of normal. Cotton condition was rated 12 percent very poor, 25 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 5 percent excellent, a slight improvement from last week. Rice was 96 percent headed, 30 days ahead of last year’s slow pace and 13 days ahead of normal. Rice harvest is just beginning at 3 percent complete, 10 days ahead of both last year and normal. Rice condition was rated 3 percent poor, 8 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 32 percent excellent, slightly better than a week earlier. Sorghum headed and beyond was 91 percent complete, 13 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Fifty percent of the sorghum was turning color, 14 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Sorghum maturing was 5 percent complete, 4 days ahead of last year, but similar to normal. Sorghum condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 5 percent excellent, similar to a week earlier. The third cutting of alfalfa was 84 percent complete Statewide while complete in the southern districts. This is 2 weeks ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of normal. Other hay was 98 percent cut, 5 days behind last year and 7 days behind normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition deteriorated to be rated 15 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. While conditions in the southeast district improved to 55 from 76 percent poor to very poor, conditions in the southwest and south-central districts went from 20 and 65 percent to 46 and 96 percent poor to very poor, respectively.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were normal to 4 degrees above normal across the State. Rainfall averaged 1.32 inches Statewide, mostly being received at week’s end. The central district received the most precipitation with 2.22 inches of rainfall while reporters in the south-central district indicated less than a tenth an inch of precipitation. Randolph county reported the most precipitation having received 5.18 inches.