Reporting for the week ending April 11, 2010.

General Above normal temperatures were observed across the state most of last week. A cold front moved through Arkansas midweek bringing rain showers to much of the state that resulted in a short reprieve from the extremely high pollen counts. Lows ranged from 31 degrees Fahrenheit at Gilbert to 47 degrees Fahrenheit at North Little Rock. Highs ranged from 77 degrees Fahrenheit at Fayetteville and Mena to 85 degrees Fahrenheit at Camden, El Dorado, Eudora, and Monticello. Measurable rainfall was recorded at 28 of the 36 weather stations. The greatest precipitation amount was recorded at Stuttgart with 1.73 inches, followed by 1.54 inches recorded at Marianna. Topsoil moisture supplies were 4 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were 2 percent short, 83 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. On average, farmers had 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork.

Crops Mostly dry weather allowed farmers to continue field preparation and planting row crops last week. By week’s end, 59 percent of the corn crop was planted, 20 percent ahead of last year and 1 percent ahead of the five-year average. Corn emergence, at 27 percent, was 12 percent ahead of 2009 but 4 percent behind the five-year average. Some corn producers were spraying herbicides for weed control. Farmers had planted 19 percent of the rice crop by week’s end, 7 percent ahead of last year and 4 percent ahead of the five-year average. Rice emerged was at 1 percent, 1 percent ahead of 2009 but 1 percent behind the five-year average. Sorghum planted was at 19 percent, 15 percent ahead of 2009 and 3 percent ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans planted reached 7 percent last week, 4 percent ahead of last year and 3 percent ahead of the five-year average. Winter wheat was reported to be in mostly fair to good condition with some reports of stripe rust, aphids, and barley yellow dwarf virus.

Livestock Livestock were in mostly fair to good condition last week. Pasture and range and hay crops were reported in mostly fair to good condition, with reports of fertilizer being applied in some areas.