Hot, dry conditions allow wheat to progress Missouri

Hot and dry conditions allowed wheat harvest to progress, but is starting to take a toll on pastures and water levels. The heat and below average precipitation during the week ending June 16 also caused corn and soybean conditions to decline slightly, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Heartland Regional Field Office, Missouri. Temperatures last week averaged 80.3 degrees, 7.2 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.54 inches statewide, 0.37 inches below normal. There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending June 17, 2018. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 29 percent very short, 38 percent short, and 33 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 19 percent very short, 38 percent short, and 43 percent adequate. Corn condition was rated at 2 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 41 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. Soybean planting was 94 percent complete, with 87 percent emerged. Soybean condition was rated 5 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 39 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Cotton squaring progressed to 49 percent, up 25 percentage points from last week. Cotton condition was rated 8 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 51 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. Rice condition was rated at 4 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 20 percent excellent. Sorghum planted is at 90 percent, 10 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average, with 6 percent headed. Sorghum condition was rated 11 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Winter wheat harvested progressed to 44 percent, up 36 percentage points from last week. Winter wheat condition was rated 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 5 percent excellent.