Harvest Season Begins With First Corn Bushels In The Bin

The first bushels of harvested corn are in the bin, while soybeans are beginning to drop their leaves.  USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report indicates that one percent of Missouri corn was harvested in the week leading up to Labor Day, in line with a year ago but behind the five-year average of five percent.  31 percent of corn has matured, nine points better than last year but two off the average pace.  84 percent of corn has dented.  64 percent of corn is rated good to excellent, up one point from a week ago, while nine percent are still listed in poor or very poor shape.  Soybean progress continues to pick up, with four percent already dropping leaves and six percent turning color.  88 percent of the crop has set pods, but five percent have still yet to bloom.  61 percent of beans are rated good to excellent, against seven percent poor or very poor.

Rice harvest remained on pace in the Bootheel with six percent out of the ground.  Conditions decreased, with 59 percent rated good to excellent versus three percent poor.  18 percent of cotton bolls have opened. up six percent from a year ago but 12 points off the average.  69 percent of the crop is in good condition, down two points from last week, while five percent remain poor.

Pasture conditions made use of above-average rainfall around Missouri last week, with a five-point increase in fields rated good to excellent.  65 percent are in the top categories, compared to eight percent rated poor or very poor.  90 percent of alfalfa fields have received a third cutting, two points better than a year ago and the five-year average.  Nine percent of Missouri farmers reported a shortage of hay supply, compared to three percent with a surplus.  Eight percent of farmers are running short on stock water supply, compared to three percent with a surplus.

Precipitation around Missouri averaged 1.65″ last week, over double the normal rate, while temperatures were just above normal at 74.1°F.  5.4 days were suitable for fieldwork.  28 percent of Missouri topsoil and a fifth of subsoil remain short or very short on moisture, compared to surpluses in three percent of topsoil and two percent of subsoil.