Agricultural Summary

Remnants of Hurricane Isaac dropped much needed rainfall across the state limiting farmers to 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork.  Rain fell slowly over several days misting plants, allowing good soil absorption, and limiting runoff.  Topsoil moisture supply improved to 35 percent very short, 33 percent short, 31 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.  Subsoil moisture supply remained low at 71 percent very short, 23 percent short, and 6 percent adequate.  

Field Crops Report

Corn mature was 84 percent, 15 days ahead of last year, and 4 weeks ahead of normal.  Corn harvested increased 12 points to 44 percent, 3 weeks ahead of last year, and 4 weeks ahead of normal.  Corn moisture at harvest was 16.3 percent ranging from 17.5 percent in the north-central to 13.3 percent in the southwest district.  Corn condition at 58 percent very poor, 27 percent poor, 10 percent fair, 4 percent good, and 1 percent excellent, remained similar to last week.  Soybeans setting pods and beyond were 94 percent, 4 days ahead of last year, and 10 days ahead of normal.  Soybeans turning color and beyond were 27 percent, 1 week ahead of last year, and 8 days ahead of normal.  Soybeans dropping leaves and beyond were 7 percent, 6 days ahead of last year and normal.  Soybeans began to mature with condition rated 44 percent very poor, 33 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 5 percent good, and 1 percent excellent.  Cotton opening bolls and beyond was 43 percent, 6 days ahead of last year, and 3 days ahead of normal.  Cotton condition was 11 percent very poor, 29 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 18 percent good, and 2 percent excellent.  Rice harvested was 18 percent, 16 days ahead of last year, and 9 days ahead of normal with condition at 5 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 20 percent excellent.  Sorghum turning color and beyond was 61 percent, 5 days ahead of last year, and 4 days ahead of normal.  Sorghum mature was 24 percent, 8 days ahead of last year, and 6 days ahead of normal.  Sorghum harvest, at 2 percent complete, was 6 days ahead of last year, but the same as normal.  Sorghum condition was 26 percent very poor, 38 percent poor, 27 percent fair, and 9 percent good.  Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting was 72 percent, 17 days behind last year, and 11 days behind normal. 

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition improved from last week to 82 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, and 1 percent fair.  Some producers began to drill rye or other perennial grasses into pasture to prepare for fall.  Supply of hay and other roughages improved to 57 percent very short, 31 percent short, and 12 percent adequate.  Stock water supplies also improved to 65 percent very short, 26 percent short, and 9 percent adequate.  Prolonged precipitation was still needed to replenish stock water supplies.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were 1 to 4 degrees above average.  Precipitation averaged 2.84 inches statewide.  The west-central district received 3.73 inches, and Ray County received 8.86 inches last week.