Agricultural Summary

The first weekly Crop Progress report for the 2011 crop year found cool dry weather across the state. There were 3.4 days suitable for fieldwork, although the central district only had 1.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 27 percent surplus. The south central district was the driest, rating 20 percent very short, 23 percent short. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 2 percent very short, 9 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. Spring tillage was 23 percent complete, 5 days ahead of last year, but 2 days behind the 5-year average.

Field Crops Report

Corn planted was 4 percent complete, compared to 1 percent in 2010, but 4 days behind the 5-year average. The southeast district reported 16 percent planted, followed by the southwest with 4 percent planted. Winter wheat condition measured 5 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Winter wheat nitrogen top dress was occurring across the state. Rice and sorghum planting have not started.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition was 3 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 36 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. Grass is greening but not growing yet in the northeast, central, and east central districts due to continued cold temperatures. Cool weather prevented fertilizing pasture for the eastern part of the state. Hay continued to be fed. Stock water supplies were 1 percent very short, 2 percent short, 88 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were 2-4 degrees below average across the state. The Bootheel was 4-6 degrees below average. Precipitation averaged 0.15 inches statewide. The Bootheel received the most precipitation with 0.48 inches and the northeast the least with 0.01 inches.