Temperatures, Precipitation Swing Higher As Corn Planting Accelerates

One week removed from significantly below-average temperatures, Missouri farmers experienced temperatures 6.5 degrees above normal last week, accelerating crop planting progress. USDA’s Weekly Crop Progress report indicated that 30 percent of Missouri’s corn was planted last week, resulting in half the state’s field being planted as of Sunday. That’s nine points ahead of a year ago but 12 points behind the five-year average. 15 percent of the crop has emerged, two points better than last year but 13 points off normal pace. Soybean planting is now ten percent complete, with two percent emerged, both ahead of a year ago and the five-year average.

31 percent of Missouri wheat has headed, eight points behind last year and 11 points off the five-year average. Conditions slipped, with 59 percent in good to excellent condition while five percent remained rated poor. The Bootheel saw the first three percent of cotton planted last week, getting ahead of last year’s late start. However, the five-year average is 20 percent. Rice remains well ahead of schedule, with 65 percent planted and 48 percent emerged.

Pastures strengthened once again, with 74 percent rated good to excellent compared to just one percent in poor condition. 12 percent of Missouri farmers reportedly have a shortage of hay supply, compared to five percent with a surplus. Five percent of farmers also have a surplus of stock water while the rest of the state is considered adequate. Precipitation averaged 1.30″ across the state, with the heaviest bands along the Arkansas border. Still, four percent of Missouri topsoil and three percent of subsoil are short on moisture, compared to surpluses reported in 14 percent of topsoil and ten percent of subsoil. Four days were suitable for fieldwork with temperatures averaging 65.3°F.