Agricultural Summary

Though some areas are still dry, much needed rains swept across most of southern Missouri causing improvements in pasture conditions and topsoil moisture. There were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork statewide. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 4 percent very short, 10 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. Topsoil moisture in the southeast and south-central districts improved drastically, with 70 and 51 percent adequate to surplus compared with 10 and 18 percent a week earlier, respectively. On-farm storage availability for this year’s harvest is rated 17 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. The northwest, northeast, and southeast districts reported 20 percent or more short.

Field Crops Report

The corn crop was 94 percent dented, 2 weeks ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the 5-year average (normal). Corn was 65 percent mature, over 13 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of normal. Twenty-three percent of the corn has been harvested, 18 days ahead of last year and similar to normal. Corn condition was rated 7 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 9 percent excellent, slightly poorer than a week earlier. Respondents are reporting corn moisture at harvest between 13.2 percent and 21.7 percent with a State average of 18.7 percent. Ninety-seven percent of the soybeans have set pods and beyond, a week ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of normal. Soybeans turning color was 32 percent complete, 3 days ahead of last year but over 2 days behind normal. Leaves have dropped on 12 percent of the soybean crop, just over 2 days ahead of last year but a day behind normal. Soybean condition was rated 6 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 38 percent good, and 10 percent excellent, virtually unchanged from last week. Bolls have opened on 79 percent of the cotton crop, 33 days ahead of last year and over 15 days ahead of normal. Cotton harvest has just begun. Cotton condition was rated 12 percent very poor, 20 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 36 percent good, and 5 percent excellent, similar to last week. Rice harvest reached 41 percent complete, up 18 points from last week. This is 22 days ahead of last year and just over 13 days ahead of normal. Rice condition was rated 1 percent poor, 10 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 32 percent excellent, virtually unchanged from a week earlier. Eighty-six percent of the sorghum was turning color, 13 days ahead of last year and 9 days ahead of normal. Sorghum maturing reached 50 percent complete, over 18 days ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of normal. Sorghum harvested was 12 percent complete, 21 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of normal. Sorghum condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 6 percent excellent, similar to a week earlier. The third cutting of alfalfa was 94 percent complete Statewide. This is 3 days ahead of last year and a 6 days ahead of normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition was rated 11 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 34 percent good, and 5 percent excellent, a slight improvement from last week. A substantial improvement was seen in the southwest district, which was rated 12 percent poor to very poor compared with 38 percent a week earlier. Although improvement was seen in the south-central and southeast districts, pasture condition is still rated 73 and 79 percent poor to very poor in those areas.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were normal to 4 degrees below normal across the State. Rainfall averaged 2.31 inches Statewide. The northwest district reported the least amount of precipitation with 0.65 of an inch while the south-central district reported 3.78 inches of rainfall. Howell, Ozark, Shannon, and Taney counties reported over 5 inches for the week.