Precipitation improves crop conditions

Warmer temperatures and above average precipitation for the week ending May 20 improved crop conditions, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Heartland Regional Field Office, Missouri. Temperatures last week averaged 71.5 degrees, 6.3 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 1.66 inches statewide, 0.56 inches above normal. There were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 6 percent very short, 16 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 7 percent very short, 23 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Corn planting progressed 5 percentage points to 96 percent complete, which is 9 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Corn emerged progressed to 84 percent, 20 percentage points ahead of the previous week. Corn condition was rated at 2 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 64 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. Soybean planting was 61 percent complete with 33 percent emerged. Cotton planting progressed to 94 percent, 21 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Rice planting progressed to 95 percent this week. Rice emerged progressed to 75 percent, 27 percentage points ahead of the previous week, but still 1 percentage point behind the 5-year average. Sorghum planted is at 53 percent, 18 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Winter wheat headed is at 84 percent, 13 percentage points behind last year. Winter wheat condition was rated 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 41 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Alfalfa first cutting progressed to 27 percent, 2 percentage points behind the previous year, but 5 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Other hay first cutting progressed to 11 percent, 3 percentage points behind the previous year, but 1 percentage point ahead of the 5-year average.