Corn Emergence, Soybean Planting Cross Halfway Mark

Another dry week for Missouri farmers brought about a continued fast pace for crop planting and emergence.  USDA’s weekly Crop Progress Report indicates that 92 percent of Missouri corn is in the ground, and 56 percent has emerged.  That’s at least 30 points better than the five-year average.  This time a year ago, 31 percent had been planted and just nine percent had emerged.  Soybean progress is also well ahead of normal, with half of the state’s beans in the ground and 21 percent emerged.  Normally, 12 percent of beans are planted and two percent have emerged.

The Bootheel’s farmers turned their attention to cotton last week, as its planting is now 40 percent complete.  That’s more than double last year’s rate and the five-year average.  85 percent of rice is planted and 61 percent has emerged, also over 30 points better than the five-year average.

Dry conditions have begun to slow down winter wheat’s progress.  While 16 points ahead of last year at 40 percent headed, that’s just three points ahead of the five-year average.  66 percent of the crop is rated good to excellent, down one point from last week, while the amount in poor or very poor shape has doubled to 12 percent.  One-fifth of Missouri pastures are now rated poor or very poor, up six points from last week; however, the 43-percent rate of fields in good or excellent shape is up eight points from last week.  Only 46 percent of Missouri farmers report having adequate hay supply, while 86 percent report having enough stock water on hand.

The worsening drought conditions remain evident in the state’s moisture supply, as 44 percent of topsoil and 39 percent of subsoil are short or very short on moisture.  Just one percent of topsoil and two percent of subsoil appears to have a surplus.  Extreme heat during the weekend ultimately made the week’s temperature just above normal at 60.2°F.  Only 0.27″ of rain fell on average across Missouri, which was 0.87″ below normal.  6.5 days were suitable for fieldwork.