Perilous Crop Conditions Begin To Level
Crop conditions across Missouri saw slight changes in the past week after significant drops in the previous Crop Progress report.
USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service noted a two-point increase in corn rated good to excellent this week, now at 25 percent. However, there was also a two-point increase in corn rated poor or very poor, now at 39 percent. This time last year, 60 percent of corn was good to excellent against just eight percent poor. 52 percent of the crop is silking as of Sunday, nine points ahead of normal and 19 points better than a year ago. Three percent of corn is already doughing. Soybeans also saw a two-point uptick in the good to excellent category, now at 26 percent. However, the percentage of the crop in poor or very poor shape was down two points, at 32 percent. Last year, 51 percent of the crop was considered good to excellent, against 11 percent poor or very poor. 37 percent of soybeans are blooming, 14 points ahead of average and 19 points better than last year. Six percent of beans are setting pods. Winter wheat harvest is 95 percent complete.
The first six percent of the Bootheel’s cotton is squaring. Unusually for the year, this’s 12 points behind normal and 24 points behind last year. 76 percent of the crop is squaring, five points ahead of last year and 19 points better than the five-year average. 69 percent of the crop is good to excellent, up three points on the week, while just one percent is rated poor. 22 percent of rice has headed, 16 points ahead of a year ago and normal pace. 76 percent of rice is rated good to excellent, up six points on the week, while less than one percent rated poor or very poor.
One percent of Missouri’s alfalfa fields have already received a third cutting, in line with average pace. 80 percent of fields have had a second mowing, 22 points better than last year and 23 points ahead of the five-year average. 89 percent of other hay has been cut. With nearly a fourth of Missouri experiencing extreme drought, 71 percent of pastures are rated poor or very poor; however, the number of fields in good condition doubled this week to four percent. Still, just 23 percent of Missouri farmers reportedly have enough hay supply, while 41 percent have adequate stockwater. 27 percent of Missouri topsoil and 22 percent of the state’s subsoil had adequate moisture.
About 5.9 days were suitable for fieldwork, as precipitation was 0.35″ below normal at 0.51″. Average temperatures across the state were 2.3 degrees below normal at 75.3°F.
