Agricultural Summary

Warm, dry weather across the State allowed farmers to make significant harvest progress with over 1.6 million acres harvested.  Statewide there were 7.0 days suitable for fieldwork with all districts reporting a full week except the east-central district at 6.7 days suitable. Topsoil moisture continued to decline from last week to 39 percent very short, 41 percent short and 20 percent adequate. All districts except the southeast district are rated 69 percent or more in the short and very short category. Fall tillage was 28 percent complete same as last year, and 13 days ahead of the historic 5-year average (normal). Off-farm storage availability was 8 percent short, 86 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. On-farm storage availability was 11 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.  

Field Crops Report

Corn harvested was 78 percent, 4 days ahead of last year, and 23 days ahead of normal.  The dry weather lowered corn moisture at harvest to 15.5 percent statewide, ranging from 10.5 percent in the southwest to 16.8 percent in the southeast district.  Soybeans turning color and beyond were 95 percent, same as last year, but 2 days ahead of normal.  Soybeans dropping leaves and beyond were 79 percent, 1 day behind of last year but 1 day ahead of normal.  Soybeans mature were 62 percent, 1 day behind last year and 2 days ahead of normal.  Soybeans harvested advanced 24 points to 35 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal.  Soybean condition was 13 percent very poor, 22 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 27 percent good, and 8 percent excellent.  Cotton opening bolls was 99 percent.  Cotton harvested was 31 percent, 13 days behind 2010, and 4 days behind normal.  Cotton condition was rated 4 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 3 percent excellent.  Rice harvested was 69 percent, 17 days behind last year, and 6 days behind normal.  Sorghum mature was 86 percent, 3 days behind last year, but 6 days ahead of normal.  Sorghum harvested was 43 percent, 6 days behind last year and 1 day behind normal.  Sorghum condition was 5 percent very poor, 25 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 31 percent good, and 2 percent excellent.  Winter wheat planted was 22 percent, 2 days behind last year, but 1 day ahead of normal.  Winter wheat emerged was 3 percent, 4 days behind last year and 5 days behind normal. 

Pasture & Livestock

The prolonged dry weather is deteriorating pasture conditions with 29 percent very poor, 32 percent poor, 29 percent fair, and 10 percent good.  Last year at this time pasture conditions were 8 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Some producers are using rural water for livestock as some creeks and ponds are very low or going dry.

Weather Summary

The state averaged no precipitation with only Cape Girardeau county reporting rainfall of 0.01 of an inch.  Temperatures were 3 to 5 degrees above normal in the southeast district while the rest of the state was 6 to 11 degrees above normal.