Planting and fieldwork delayed

Average temperatures for the week ending April 8 were well below average with slightly below average precipitation, delaying planting and limiting fieldwork throughout most of the state, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Heartland Regional Field Office, Missouri. Hay and roughage supplies are also getting critically short in some areas for producers due to unseasonal weather conditions. Temperatures last week averaged 37.0 degrees, 13.8 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.40 inches statewide, 0.28 inches below normal. There were 1.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 3 percent very short, 7 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 22 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 4 percent very short, 12 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus.