More Rain, Lower Temperatures Unable To Keep Missouri Crop Conditions From Weakening

Even with above-average rainfall and lower than normal temperatures across much of Missouri last week, crop conditions around the state showed some weakness in the recent USDA Crop Progress report.  39 percent of the state’s corn crop is rated poor or very poor, up six points from a week ago, while 27 percent of fields were good to excellent, a drop of three points.  90 percent of corn is tasseling and 39 percent are doughing, still ahead of a year ago and five-year averages.  Soybeans also showed weakness, as 36 percent of fields are now considered poor or very poor, up eight points on the week.  27 percent of beans are rated good to excellent, down four points.  68 percent are blooming while 31 percent have set pods, both figures well ahead of last year and normal pace.

The Bootheel’s cotton continues to stall amid heavy rain in that part of the state.  While squaring is 95 percent complete, 15 points ahead of normal, only a quarter of the crop has set bolls.  That’s 20 points behind average pace and 31 points behind a year ago.  However, conditions were stronger, with 76 percent of cotton in good to excellent condition against just two percent poor.  Rice was unchanged with 79 percent of the crop rated good to excellent.  39 percent of the crop is headed, 19 points better than last year and 16 points ahead of the five-year average.

One-fifth of Missouri’s alfalfa has received its third cutting, five points better than normal and 13 points faster than a year ago.  Nine percent of fields are still awaiting a second visit from the mower.  93 percent of other hay has been cut.  With most of the rain last week falling south of Interstate 70, key pasture areas saw improvement, with the number of fields rated poor or very poor down 13 points on the week to 59 percent.  11 percent are in good condition, up three points.  Just 23 percent of Missouri farmers are believed to have enough hay supply on hand, while 47 percent are believed to have adequate stock water supplies.

An average of 5.9 days were suitable for fieldwork last week.  With 1.02 inches of rain on average around the state, 0.22″ above normal, a third of Missouri’s topsoil and 29 percent of subsoil are considered adequate on moisture.  Temperatures were 2.6 degrees below normal at an average of 75.9°F.