Planting progresses quickly

Warmer temperatures and little precipitation for the week ending April 29 allowed planting to progress quickly, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Heartland Regional Field Office, Missouri. Though temperatures increased from the previous week, the state is still below average, which is hindering crop progress and hay growth. Temperatures last week averaged 56.4 degrees, 2.4 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.73 inches statewide, 0.25 inches below normal. There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending April 29, 2018. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 8 percent very short, 18 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 6 percent very short, 18 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Corn planting progressed 36 percentage points to 52 percent complete, which is 1 percentage point ahead of the 5-year average. Corn emerged progressed to 6 percent. Soybean planting was 5 percent complete. Rice planting progressed to 50 percent this week. Sorghum planting is at 2 percent, 11 percentage points behind last year. Winter wheat headed is at 4 percent, 69 percentage points behind last year and 23 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Winter wheat condition was rated 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 44 percent good, and 5 percent excellent.