Warm, dry conditions worsen corn and soybean conditions

Warmer temperatures and below average precipitation for the week ending July 15 worsened corn and soybean conditions, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Heartland Regional Field Office, Missouri. Temperatures last week averaged 82.3 degrees, 4.0 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.59 inches statewide, 0.24 inches below normal. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 40 percent very short, 37 percent short, 22 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 36 percent very short, 38 percent short, 25 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Corn silking was at 91 percent this week, 15 percentage points ahead of the previous week. Corn dough progressed to 10 percent, 4 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Corn condition was rated 8 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, 42 percent fair, 29 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Soybeans blooming progressed to 56 percent, 28 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans setting pods progressed to 19 percent. Soybean condition was rated 6 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 35 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Cotton squaring progressed to 95 percent, 24 percentage points ahead of the previous week. Cotton setting bolls reached 71 percent. Cotton condition was rated 4 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 13 percent excellent. Rice headed was reported at 27 percent. Rice condition was rated at 12 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 20 percent excellent. Sorghum headed progressed to 30 percent, 12 percentage points ahead of the previous week. Sorghum turning color progressed to 3 percent. Sorghum condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 48 percent fair, 34 percent good, and 3 percent excellent.