Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending April 29, 2012

Agricultural Summary

Warm, dry weather early in the week allowed 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork.  Although spring rains swept across the central districts, statewide topsoil moisture dropped from last week to 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus.  The southeast district (Bootheel) was 15 percent very short, and 49 percent short while the south-central district was 6 percent very short, and 62 percent short.  Subsoil moisture was 1 percent very short, 15 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus, with the southeast and south central districts decreasing the state average.  Ground worked spring tillage was 85 percent, one month ahead of last year and normal (5-year average).

Field Crops Report

Corn planted moved 25 points from last week to 75 percent, 15 days ahead of last year, and 21 days ahead of normal.  Much progress was made in the northwest district, moving 43 points from last week, and the Bootheel was nearing completion.  Corn emergence was 37 percent, 12 days ahead of last year, and 13 days ahead of normal.  Soybean planting, now present in all districts, was 8 percent complete, 10 days ahead of last year and normal.  Soybeans began to emerge.  Cotton planting increased 27 points from last week to 33 percent, 15 days ahead of last year, and 9 days ahead of normal.

Rice planting was 92 percent, remaining well ahead of last year and normal at 33 and 28 days.  Emergence was 57 percent, 30 days ahead of last year, and 18 days ahead of normal.  Rice condition was 6 percent poor, 38 percent fair, and 56 percent good, with some irrigation needed for germination.  Sorghum planting was 16 percent, 22 days ahead of last year, and 17 days ahead of normal. Winter wheat headed and beyond was 84 percent, 20 days ahead of last year, and 24 days ahead of normal.  Wheat turning color was 3 percent, present in 5 districts.  Wheat condition was 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 51 percent good, and 17 percent excellent. 

Alfalfa hay first cutting was 20 percent, one month ahead of last year, and 24 days ahead of normal.  Other hay cut was 8 percent, also one month ahead of last year, and 22 days ahead of normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Supply of hay and other roughages was 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus.  Stock water supply was 6 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.  Pasture condition remained similar to last week at 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 13 percent excellent.

Weather Summar

Temperatures were 1 to 6 degrees above average.  Precipitation averaged 0.43 of an inch across the state.  Vernon, Callaway, and Montgomery counties received over 2 inches.  Rain was needed in the Bootheel to resume planting.

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