Wheat, Pasture Conditions Level While Harvest Continues

Winter wheat and pasture conditions were steady during the past week as Missouri farmers continued making their final combine drives across their fields.  The weekly USDA Crop Progress report indicates that 17 percent of pastures are in good condition, up one point from a week ago.  55 percent of fields remain poor or very poor, down four points on the week.  Adequate hay supplies are reported for 49 percent of Missouri farmers, while 57 percent of farms are believed to have enough stock water supply.

Winter wheat quality decreased slightly in the past week, with 54 percent good to excellent against 12 percent poor or very poor.  93 percent of the crop has been planted, eight points ahead of a year ago and 12 points better than average.  72 percent of wheat has emerged, two points better than last year and nine points ahead of average.  Corn harvest is 94 percent complete and soybean harvest is 92 percent complete, both ahead of average pace.  93 percent of the Bootheel’s cotton has been harvested.

On average, farmers had 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork last week.  Precipitation was just over half the normal rate at 0.39″, and temperatures were 2.3 degrees above normal at 47.6°F.