Warm, dry conditions allow planting to progress quickly

Warmer temperatures and below average precipitation for the week ending May 13 allowed planting to progress quickly, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Heartland Regional Field Office, Missouri. Temperatures last week averaged 72.2 degrees, 9.5 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.19 inches statewide, 0.85 inches below normal. There were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 12 percent very short, 34 percent short, 51 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 8 percent very short, 32 percent short, 56 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Corn planting progressed 13 percentage points to 91 percent complete, which is 15 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Corn emerged progressed to 64 percent, 30 percentage points ahead of the previous week. Corn condition was rated at 2 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 58 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Soybean planting was 42 percent complete with 12 percent emerged. Cotton planting progressed to 73 percent, 19 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Rice planting progressed to 76 percent this week. Rice emerged progressed to 48 percent, 22 percentage points ahead of the previous week, but still behind the 5-year average. Sorghum planted is at 33 percent, 9 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Winter wheat headed is at 61 percent, 32 percentage points behind last year and 4 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Winter wheat condition was rated 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 42 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Alfalfa first cutting progressed to 9 percent, 5 percentage points behind the previous year and 1 percentage point behind the 5-year average. Other hay first cutting progressed to 6 percent, 2 percentage points behind the previous year but 1 percentage point ahead of the 5-year average.