Plantings Surge Toward Normal Paces
Despite another week of above-average rainfall, normal temperatures encouraged Missouri farmers to jump into the fields to finally get their crop in the ground. USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report indicates that another 19 percent of Missouri corn was planted in the past week, bringing the completion rate as of Sunday to 84 percent. That’s two points off the five-year average and five points behind a year ago. 57 percent of the crop has emerged, 15 points behind normal and 18 points behind a year ago. Soybean plantings doubled last week, now at 38 percent complete. That’s two points shy of the normal pace and five points behind normal. 16 percent of the crop has emerged.
Planting progress is well ahead of normal pace for cotton in the Bootheel, with 85 percent of the crop in the ground, compared to the five-year average of 63 percent. Last year 82 percent of cotton was planted. Four-fifths of the region’s rice is planted, with 43 percent emerged. Both remain behind a year ago and the average pace. The first crop condition ratings have 58 percent of the crop rated good versus nine percent poor.
Winter wheat heading is now near average pace with 88 percent of the crop headed. Conditions improved for a second straight week, with 69 percent rated good to excellent against three percent poor. Hay cutting is ahead of normal pace, with 26 percent of alfalfa receiving its first cutting and 13 percent of other hay cut. Pasture conditions are steady with 69 percent good to excellent and two percent poor. Nine percent of Missouri farmers are believed to have a shortage of hay supply, compared to four percent with a surplus. Another week of above-normal rainfall—averaging 1.86″ across the state—has one in eight farmers with surplus stock water. The rainfall has also resulted in 18 percent of topsoil and 12 percent of subsoil containing surplus moisture, compared to a shortage in two percent of topsoil and three percent of subsoil.
An average of 4.2 days were suitable for fieldwork last week. The average temperature across Missouri was 66.5°F, just above normal.
