Finish Line In Sight For Missouri Harvest

Harvest of Missouri’s cash crops is down to the final ten percent.  USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report indicates that corn harvest is 97 percent complete, two points ahead of a year ago and one point better than the five-year average.  Soybean harvest is at 90 percent, in line with normal trends but three points behind a year ago.  The Bootheel’s cotton harvest is at 94 percent complete, also in line with normal trends but five points better than last year.

92 percent of winter wheat is in the ground, with 80 percent emerged.  Both figures are just above last year’s rates and the five-year average.  Conditions are near-identical to last week with 63 percent in good or excellent condition versus four percent poor.

While 6.2 days were suitable for fieldwork on average and temperatures were over two degrees above normal at 46.3°F, just 0.14″ of rain fell across Missouri on average, a fifth of the normal rate.  Pasture conditions weakened, as 47 percent were rated good to excellent and 12 percent listed in poor or very poor shape.  Eight percent of farmers reportedly lack adequate hay supply, compared to seven percent with a surplus.  Five percent of farmers are believed to have a lack of adequate stock water, compared to two percent with a surplus.  Seven percent of topsoil and 13 percent of subsoil lack adequate moisture, compared to three percent of topsoil and one percent of subsoil with a surplus.