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Soybeans reaching maturity, nearly half harvested
Missouri
Rainfall early in the week ending Oct. 17 was followed by several days of cool, damp weather limited row crop harvesting over much of the state, according to the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service, Oct. 18.
An average of 3.3 days were suitable for fieldwork, varying from less than 3 days across the central third of the state and in the southeast district to 4.9 days in the northwest district. The topsoil moisture supply ratings averaged 5 percent very short, 9 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Moisture supplies are the lowest in the northwest district, with ratings of short or very short totaling 40 percent, followed by the east-central and southwest districts at around 25 percent in those ratings. The northeast district shows the highest moisture rating with 29 percent surplus.
Twenty-five percent of the ground intended for spring crops has been worked at least once, about 10 days ahead of the five-year average.
The corn harvest advanced moderately to 78 percent complete, 3 days behind last year and 6 days behind the five-year average of 82 percent. Progress by area varies from 60 percent harvested in the northeast district and 65 percent northwest to virtual completion across the southern third of the state. In addition to damp weather slowing progress, some farmers have also been delayed by insufficient grain storage space.
Condition of unharvested soybeans averaged 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 52 percent good and 21 percent excellent, similar to a week earlier. Ninety-four percent of the soybeans are dropping leaves or beyond and 84 percent are mature, ahead of last year but equal to the five-year average. Bean maturity by district ranges from 50 percent in the southwest district to 94 percent in the northwest. Forty-seven percent of the crop is harvested, 5 days ahead of last year but 2 days behind the five-year average. Progress by area is least advanced in the southwest and west-central districts at one-third or less harvested, followed by the south-central at 39 percent. All other districts have 48 percent or more of the beans harvested, with the central district most advanced at 57 percent.
Condition of unharvested soybeans averaged 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 52 percent good and 21 percent excellent, similar to a week earlier. Ninety-four percent of the soybeans are dropping leaves or beyond and 84 percent are mature, ahead of last year but equal to the five-year average. Bean maturity by district ranges from 50 percent in the southwest district to 94 percent in the northwest. Forty-seven percent of the crop is harvested, 5 days ahead of last year but 2 days behind the five-year average. Progress by area is least advanced in the southwest and west-central districts at one-third or less harvested, followed by the south-central at 39 percent. All other districts have 48 percent or more of the beans harvested, with the central district most advanced at 57 percent.
Pasture condition is reported as 5 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 40 percent good and 7 percent excellent, an improvement from a week earlier. The additional moisture is helping to revive growth but reporters indicated that warmer temperatures are needed to re-gain a good late fall feed supply.
Date: 10/21/04
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