Just One-Fifth Of Missouri’s Corn Still Needs Planted

Only 20 percent of Missouri’s intended corn acres need to be planted as the first week of May is underway.  This week’s USDA Crop Progress report found that the 80 percent planted rate is 39 points above average and 55 points better than a year ago.  31 percent of the crop has emerged, compared to just three percent last year and the five-year average of nine percent.  A third of Missouri’s soybeans are now in the ground, 30 points better than last year and 29 points ahead of average.  12 percent of the crop has emerged.

Rice also remains on a swift planting progress, with 73 percent of the crop in the ground.  This time last year, Bootheel farmers were only able to plant four percent.  The five-year average is 37 percent.  31 percent of the crop has emerged, double the average pace and 30 points better than a year ago.  Cotton is not off to the blistering pace other crops in Missouri are, as the five percent planted is in line with the five-year average but two points behind a year ago.

A fourth of Missouri’s wheat crop has headed, seven points above normal and 16 points better than a year ago.  Conditions are slightly weaker this week, with 67 percent of the crop good to excellent and six percent rated poor.  Increasing drought conditions are sending pasture quality levels lower, with 35 percent of fields rated good to excellent—down 14 points from last week—versus 14 percent rated poor.  53 percent of Missouri farmers are believed to be short on hay supply, while nine percent report a shortage of stock water.  41 percent of topsoil and 34 percent of subsoil are short of adequate moisture, compared to two percent of each with a surplus.

Just over six days were suitable for fieldwork this past week.  Temperatures were 5.4 degrees below normal at 53.5°F.  Precipitation was 0.79″ below normal at just 0.24″.