One-Sixth Of Corn, One-Fourth Of Soybeans Remain In Missouri Fields

There are not as many corn stalks for ghosts and ghouls to float through this Halloween, as Missouri farmers remain well ahead of the average pace for harvest.  USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report indicates that 84 percent of Missouri’s corn is harvested, two points ahead of a year ago and four points better than average.  Soybean harvest is three-fourths complete, four points ahead of last year and 19 points better than the five-year average.  The Bootheel’s cotton harvest is 79 percent done, 13 points ahead of a year ago and 20 points faster than normal.  Rice harvest slowed down last week, reaching 96 percent completion.  That’s still three points ahead of normal, but two points behind a year ago.

Two-thirds of Missouri’s winter wheat planting is complete, in line with a year ago and 10 points faster than usual.  36 percent of the crop has emerged, three points better than a year ago and two points faster than the five-year average.

Precipitation over an inch above normal last week provided a much-needed boost to pasture conditions.  One-sixth of Missouri fields are now considered to be in good shape, a six-point improvement on the week.  52 percent of fields are rated poor or very poor, down 11 points from a week ago.  34 percent of Missouri farmers are believed to have adequate hay supply, while 56 percent have enough stock water on hand.  Just over half of Missouri topsoil appears to have adequate moisture, along with 37 percent of subsoil.

An average of 4.2 days were suitable for fieldwork last week.  Precipitation across Missouri averaged 1.72 inches.  Temperatures were almost five degrees above normal at an average of 58.6°F.