Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending April 22, 2012

Agricultural Summary

Cooler temperatures with scattered frost slowed all planting progress except rice remained well ahead of last year and the 5-year average (normal).  State-wide there were 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork.  Topsoil moisture supply was 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus.  Although the southeast district received some much needed rainfall, it remained 44 percent short and very short compared to 37% short and very short last week.  Ground worked spring tillage was 77 percent, 28 days ahead of last year, and 32 days ahead of normal.

Field Crops Report

Corn planted was 50 percent, 2 weeks ahead of last year, and 15 days ahead of normal.  Corn emergence was 21 percent, 13 days ahead of last year, and 1 week ahead of normal.  Soybeans planted were 4 percent, 13 days ahead of last year, and 12 days ahead of normal.  Cotton planting was 6 percent, 17 days ahead of last year, and 2 days ahead of normal.  Rice planting was 78 percent, 35 days ahead of last year, and 28 days ahead of normal.  Likewise, at 45 percent rice emergence was 34 days ahead of last year, and 20 days ahead of normal.

Sorghum planting was 9 percent complete, 22 days ahead of last year and 16 days ahead of normal. The south-central district was 69 percent complete, and the southeast was 27 percent complete. Winter wheat headed and beyond was 69 percent, 21 days ahead of last year, and 25 days ahead of normal.  Winter wheat condition was 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 18 percent excellent.  The first cutting for alfalfa hay was 9 percent complete, 36 days ahead of last year and 23 days ahead of normal. Other hay was 5 percent cut, 26 days ahead of normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition declined slightly from last week to 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 13 percent excellent.

Weather Summary

Temperatures dropped 1 to 5 degrees below average.  Weekly extreme highs hovered in the high 70’s and nighttime average lows were in the 40’s.  Precipitation averaged 0.67 of an inch across the state.  While the northern portion received a sprinkling, the southern half of the state received some much needed rainfall.

Tags: crop progress, crop weather and condition, USDA reports