Agricultural Summary

Rainy weather continued throughout the state accompanied by hail and tornadoes.  Flooding concerns moved north to the Missouri River flowing through the northwestern and central parts of the state.  Farmers were limited to 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 4.8 days in 2010.  Topsoil moisture supply measured 56 percent adequate and 44 percent surplus.  Ground worked for spring tillage was 84 percent, compared to 88 percent last year, and 86 percent for the 5-year historic average (normal). 

Field Crops Report

Corn planting progressed 6 points from last week to 94 percent, the same as last year, and 4 days ahead of normal.  Corn emergence was 86 percent, 5 days ahead of last year, and 6 days ahead of normal. Corn condition was 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 6 percent excellent.  Soybeans moved 3 points from last week to 36 percent planted, 3 days behind last year, and 6 days behind normal. At 25 percent, soybean emergence was 3 days ahead of last year, but 1 day behind normal.  Cotton planting proceeded to 94 percent planted, 8 days behind last year, and 2 days behind normal.  Cotton condition was 3 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 42 percent fair, and 46 percent good.  Rice planting jumped 35 points to 88 percent, 30 days behind 2010, and 10 days behind normal.  Rice emergence was 57 percent, compared to 100 percent last year and normal at 90 percent.  Rice condition was 3 percent very poor, 19 percent poor, 37 percent fair, and 41 percent good.  Widespread flooding in the bootheel earlier in the season postponed rice planting causing some farmers to plant soybeans in lieu of rice.  Sorghum was 26 percent planted, compared to 49 percent last year, and normal at 52 percent.  Winter wheat heading moved 5 points to 95 percent, 7 days ahead of 2010, and 2 days ahead of normal.  Winter wheat turning color was 48 percent, 4 days ahead of last year and normal.  Wheat condition continued to decline with 29 percent in the poor and very poor categories.  The rest of the wheat condition was 30 percent fair, and 34 percent good.  The first cutting for alfalfa hay was 16 percent complete, 6 days behind 2010, and 13 days behind normal.  Other hay also lagged at 5 percent harvested, 8 days behind 2010, and 14 days behind normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Similarly, pastures developed slowly.  Pasture condition was 1 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 12 percent excellent. 

Weather Summary

Precipitation averaged 2.34 inches statewide with the southwest district accumulating 3.72 inches.  Temperatures hovered around average with the southern districts 0 to 1 degree above average, and the northern districts ranging from 1 degree below average to 1 degree above average.