Agricultural Summary

Drought conditions persisted with 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork statewide.  Topsoil moisture supply continued to drop to 47 percent very short, 40 percent short, and 13 percent adequate.  Over half the state, or five districts, were over 90 percent short and very short for topsoil moisture.  Subsoil moisture was 34 percent very short, 42 percent short, and 24 percent adequate.  Five districts were over 70 percent short and very short for subsoil moisture.

Field Crops Report

Corn silked was 3 percent, 17 days ahead of last year, and 8 days ahead of normal (5-year average).  Corn condition was 5 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 39 percent good, and 4 percent excellent.  Poor growth was apparent for some corn fields due to lack of water.  Soybeans planted were 93 percent, 16 days ahead of last year, and 23 days ahead of normal.  Emergence now 75 percent, 9 days ahead of last year, and 15 days ahead of normal, was reported as uneven across the state.  Soybean condition was 6 percent very poor, 21 percent poor, 42 percent fair, 28 percent good, and 3 percent excellent.  Cotton squaring and beyond was 25 percent, 14 days ahead of last year, and 11 days ahead of normal.  Cotton condition was 6 percent very poor, 24 percent poor, 46 percent fair, 22 percent good, and 2 percent excellent.  Rice condition was 5 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 14 percent excellent.  Sorghum planted was 94 percent, 19 days ahead of last year, and 23 days ahead of normal.  Sorghum condition was 3 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 48 percent fair, 33 percent good, and 1 percent excellent.  Winter wheat harvested was 65 percent, 17 days ahead of last year, and 20 days ahead of normal.  Wheat condition was 1 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 51 percent good, and 16 percent excellent.  Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting was 39 percent, 21 days ahead of last year, and 24 days ahead of normal.  Other hay cut was 80 percent, 28 days ahead of last year, and 31 days ahead of normal.  Reports of low yields and sparse regrowth persisted.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition continued to decline to 19 percent very poor, 25 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 22 percent good, and 1 percent excellent.  Supply of hay and other roughages was 12 percent very short, 23 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.  Stock water supplies were 9 percent very short, 27 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 2 percent excellent. 

Weather Summary

Temperatures 2 to 5 degrees above average around the state except the southeast district experienced 1 to 2 degrees below average.  Precipitation averaged 0.07 of an inch, with the southeast at 0.53 of an inch.  Northern districts and the east central district received less than 0.80 of an inch during the last 4 weeks.