Planting progresses quickly

Warmer temperatures for the week allowed planting to progress quickly for the week ending May 6, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Heartland Regional Field Office, Missouri. Temperatures as well as precipitation were above average, allowing for more planting and emerging compared to the previous week. Temperatures last week averaged 67.3 degrees, 7.7 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.24 inches statewide, 0.18 inches above normal. There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 4 percent very short, 22 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Corn planting progressed 26 percentage points to 78 percent complete, which is 12 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Corn emerged progressed to 34 percent, 28 percentage points ahead of the previous week. Soybean planting was 19 percent complete with 1 percent emerged. Cotton planting progressed to 37 percent, 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Rice planting progressed to 65 percent this week. Rice emerged progressed to 26 percent, 24 percentage points ahead of the previous week, but still behind the 5-year average. Sorghum planted is at 6 percent, 10 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Winter wheat headed is at 24 percent, 59 percentage points behind last year and 19 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Winter wheat condition was rated 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. Alfalfa first cutting progressed to 2 percent, 1 percentage point behind the previous year and 5-year average. Other hay first cutting progressed to 1 percent, 2 percentage points behind the previous year and 1 percentage point behind the 5-year average.