Early Planting Progress In Season’s First Missouri Crop Progress Report

A handful of planters didn’t wait for the calendar to read April before making their way through some Missouri fields.  The first USDA Crop Progress report of the season indicates that two percent of the state’s intended corn acreage and one percent of anticipated soy acreage is planted as of Easter Sunday.  This time a year ago, no acreage had been reported planted for either crop.

Precipitation of just above average at 1.02″ was welcomed by the state’s wheat fields and pastures.  77 percent of Missouri wheat is rated good to excellent, six points better than a week ago and one point ahead of last year.  One percent of fields are considered poor.  A third of Missouri pastures are rated good against 18 percent poor.  Even with above-average rainfall, several areas of Missouri continue to report below-average soil moisture.  36 percent of topsoil and 47 percent of subsoil are short or very short on moisture, while a quarter of Missouri farmers are short on stock water supply.  35 percent of farmers are believed to be lacking adequate hay supply.  An average of 5.3 days were suitable for fieldwork.