Cotton, Soy Harvest Near Halfway Point, As Just One-Third Of Corn Remains

Farmers’ attention continued turning toward soy and cotton harvest in the past week, with both crops nearing the halfway point.  The weekly USDA Crop Progress Report indicates that soybean harvest across Missouri is at 46 percent, a 19-point jump on the week.  Harvest progress is 10 points better than a year ago and 18 points ahead of the five-year average.  However, five percent of beans have yet to drop their leaves.  Conditions are slightly weaker among the remaining crop, with 43 percent rated good to excellent against 25 percent poor or very poor.  Corn harvest is now 65 percent complete, in line with last year and the five-year average.

Cotton harvest intensified in the past week, with the Bootheel’s farmers hauling in 22 percent of this year’s crop.  With harvest now 45 percent complete, progress is 17 points better than a year ago and 10 points ahead of normal.  Five percent of cotton bolls have yet to open.  The remaining crop is showing improvement, with 57 percent of fields rated good to excellent against just two percent poor.  Rice harvest is 90 percent complete, three points faster than a year ago and seven points ahead of the five-year average.

While this fall’s crops are making a quick exit from our fields, winter wheat is not as swift to arrive.  While planting is three points above average at 32 percent, only six percent of the crop has emerged.  That’s two points behind a year ago and five points behind the five-year average.  With another week of below-average precipitation, just nine percent of pastures are considered to be in good shape.  By comparison, 63 percent of fields are rated poor or very poor.  Only 29 percent of Missouri farmers are believed to have enough hay on hand, while 43 percent report having adequate stock water supplies.  Just a third of Missouri topsoil and 29 percent of subsoil has adequate moisture.

Rainfall across the state averaged 0.36″, 0.28″ below normal.  Temperatures last week averaged 57.4°F, 0.8 degrees below normal.  Just over six days were suitable for fieldwork.