Missouri Farmers Get Their Planters Rolling

Corn planting is underway across Missouri, with an above-average pace amid warmer temperatures and below-average moisture.  The weekly USDA Crop Progress report indicates seven percent of intended corn acres were planted in the past week, just over double the five-year average of three percent, and well ahead of a year ago.  Rice planting began with one percent of fields planted, in line with a year ago but three points behind normal.

The bulk of Missouri’s average rainfall of 0.36″ last week fell in the southern and eastern parts of the state, leaving corn acres north of the Missouri River still dry if not parched.  Seven percent of the state’s topsoil and 13 percent of subsoil lack adequate moisture, compared to surpluses for six percent of topsoil and eight percent of subsoil.  Drier conditions also resulted in a slight reduction for wheat quality, with 73 percent of the crop rated good to excellent.  However, six percent is in excellent condition, triple that of the previous week, while three percent remain in poor or very poor shape.  No significant amount of wheat acreage has headed in the state.

Last week’s temperatures averaged 54.4°F, about 3.7 degrees above normal.  An average of five days were suitable for fieldwork.