Missouri Crops Really Need A Drink To Start June

Few areas of Missouri received significant rainfall last week, sending crop and pasture conditions lower across the state.  This week’s USDA Crop Progress Report indicated average rainfall across Missouri at just 0.08″, when normally 1.1 inches would fall in the week leading up to Memorial Day.  That dearth of rainfall has resulted in 63 percent of Missouri’s topsoil and 58 percent of subsoil lacking adequate moisture.  Just one percent of subsoil is considered to have a surplus.

35 percent of Missouri pastures are now ranked poor or very poor, eight points worse than a week ago.  Just 24 percent of fields are rated good to excellent, a six-point drop on the week.  61 percent of Missouri farmers are reportedly short on hay supply, and 34 percent are lacking adequate stockwater.  59 percent of alfalfa in the state has received its first cutting, 22 points better than a year ago and 26 points better than the five-year average.  28 percent of other hay has been mowed, nine points ahead of last year and 11 points better than normal.

Dry conditions continue to weaken our cash crops.  55 percent of winter wheat is rated good to excellent, down four points from last week and 14 points worse than a year ago.  Nine percent are rated poor or very poor.  All but three percent of the crop has headed.  55 percent of corn is considered good to excellent, down a point on the week, and 22 points worse than a year ago.  14 percent is listed as poor or very poor, up three points.  93 percent of the crop has emerged, 20 points better than a year ago and 17 points ahead of the five-year average.  51 percent of soybeans are in good to excellent shape, down three points, while 14 percent of the crop is considered poor or very poor.  Planting progress is at 86 percent, 36 points ahead of last year and 41 points faster than normal.  Almost 70 percent of beans have emerged, 40 points ahead of normal and the five-year average.

Dry conditions are not as prevalent in the Bootheel.  65 percent of rice is in good to excellent condition against three percent poor, unchanged from last week.  97 percent of fields have emerged, 36 points ahead of last year and 24 points better than normal.  The first cotton condition ratings show 72 percent of the crop in good to excellent condition, 11 points better than a year ago.  No fields are currently in poor or very poor shape.  95 percent of fields are planted and three percent are already squaring.

An average of 6.8 days were suitable for fieldwork.  Temperatures were just below normal at 66.5°F on average.