Agricultural Summary

Fire danger was elevated to extreme level due to prolonged above average temperatures coupled with little rainfall.  Fires were sparked from machinery and fireworks.  Extreme drought created a growing climate that can only be described as bleak.  Although there were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork, topsoil moisture declined to 78 percent very short, 19 percent short, and 3 percent adequate.  Subsoil moisture was 70 percent very short, 26 percent short, and 4 percent adequate. 

Field Crops Report

Corn silked was 75 percent, 10 days ahead of last year, and 2 weeks ahead of normal (5-year average).  Corn dough stage and beyond was 21 percent, 2 weeks ahead of last year and normal.  Corn condition was 28 percent very poor, 32 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 11 percent good, and 1 percent excellent.  Soybeans blooming and beyond were 30 percent, 8 days ahead of last year, and 10 days ahead of normal.  Soybeans setting pods and beyond were 3 percent, 4 and 5 days ahead of last year and normal.  Soybean condition was 23 percent very poor, 31 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 12 percent good, and 1 percent excellent.  Cotton squaring and beyond was 79 percent, 1 week ahead of last year, and 4 days ahead of normal.  Cotton setting bolls and beyond was 12 percent, 4 days ahead of last year, but 4 days behind normal.  Cotton condition was 12 percent very poor, 30 percent poor, 41 percent fair, 15 percent good, and 2 percent excellent.  Rice headed 4 percent, 2 weeks ahead of last year, and 5 days ahead of normal.  Rice condition was 5 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 20 percent excellent.  Sorghum headed and beyond was 17 percent, 18 days ahead of last year, and 9 days ahead of normal. Sorghum turning color and beyond began in 3 districts.  Alfalfa hay 2nd cutting was 94 percent, 20 days ahead of last year, and 30 days ahead of normal.  Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting was 19 percent, 2 weeks ahead of last year, and 3 weeks ahead of normal.  Other hay cut was 96 percent, one month ahead of last year and normal. 

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition declined to 48 percent very poor, 39 percent poor, 12 percent fair, and 1 percent good.  Supply of hay and other roughages was 24 percent very short, 41 percent short, 34 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.  Stock water supplies were 29 percent very short, 41 percent short, and 30 percent adequate. 

Weather Summary

Temperatures were 5 to 10 degrees above average.  Precipitation averaged 0.28 of an inch.  Perry County received 3.24 inches.