Agricultural Summary

Spring showers poured down on the western and northern districts, halting fieldwork and reducing the state-wide days suitable for fieldwork to 3.4.  Although the dry south-central and southeast districts had nearly a week suitable for fieldwork, inundated by rain, the northeast had no days suitable, and the north-central district had only 1.5 days suitable.  Topsoil moisture supply was 5 percent very short, 12 percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus.  The northeast district reported 65 percent surplus, but the south-central and southeast districts were over 70 percent short and very short.  Ground worked spring tillage was 88 percent, nearly a month ahead of last year and normal (5-year average).

Field Crops Report

Corn planted increased 9 points from last week to 84 percent, 13 days ahead of last year, and 18 days ahead of normal.  Corn emergence was 60 percent, 13 days ahead of last year, and 17 days ahead of normal.  Soybeans planted were 16 percent, 1 week ahead of last year, and 10 days ahead of normal.  Soybean emergence was 5 percent, 12 days ahead of last year and normal.  Cotton planted was 49 percent, 11 days ahead of last year, and 6 days ahead of normal.  Rice planting was nearly complete, one month ahead of last year and normal.  Emergence was 81 percent, 1 month ahead of last year, and over 3 weeks ahead of normal.  Rice condition was 7 percent poor, 34 percent fair, and 59 percent good.  Sorghum planted was 26 percent, 23 days ahead of last year, and 17 days ahead of normal.  Winter wheat headed and beyond was 94 percent, 22 days ahead of last year, and 25 days ahead of normal. Wheat turning color was 15 percent, 13 days ahead of last year, and 17 days ahead of normal.  All districts developed well ahead of historic norms.  Wheat condition was 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 17 percent excellent.  Hot, dry conditions in the southeast district reduced wheat condition.  Alfalfa hay 1st cutting was 32 percent, 26 days ahead of last year and 22 days ahead of normal.  Other hay cut was 14 percent, 26 days ahead of last year, and 20 days ahead of normal.  High humidity slowed hay drying across some parts of the state. 

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition was 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 13 percent excellent.

Weather Summary

Hot weather returned across the state with average temperatures 12 to 15 degrees above normal.  Precipitation averaged 1.63 inches with Monroe, Vernon, Howard, and Barton counties receiving over 4.00 inches.