Missouri

Missouri farmers were speeding ahead with the fall harvest until rain caused delays during the week ending Oct. 23, despite the interruption, progress remains ahead of normal, with 67 percent of the soybeans, 88 percent of the corn and 84 percent of the cotton harvested, according to the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service, Oct. 24.

Topsoil moisture ratings are reported as 14 percent very short, 28 percent short, 55 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus, with ratings generally improving from a week earlier in the northern two-thirds of the state but declining in the southern counties. Days suitable for fieldwork averaged 4.7 days.

Eighty-eight percent of the corn has been harvested, 2 weeks ahead of last year and slightly ahead of the 87 percent five-year average. Harvesting progress varies from 73 percent complete in the northwest district to around 96 percent complete across the central third of the state and complete in the southern third.

Ninety-five percent of the soybeans are mature, a few days ahead of both last year and normal. With the corn harvest well along, farmers are continuing to move ahead with the bean harvest. Two-thirds of the crop has been harvested, 2 weeks ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the average of 62 percent for this date. Progress is least advanced in the southwest district at 56 percent complete, while farmers are furthest along in the southeast district, at 74 percent.

Eighty-one percent of the sorghum is harvested, sharply ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the 77 percent average. Progress ranges from about 67 percent harvested in the northwest and east-central districts to 98 percent in the southeast.

Rice harvesting is 97 percent complete, nearly 2 weeks ahead of the 89 percent average for this date. Eighty-four percent of the cotton has been harvested, over 2 weeks ahead of the 61 percent average.

Sixty-eight percent of the winter Wheat is planted, over 2 weeks ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the normal 57 percent for this date. Thirty-nine percent of the crop has emerged, a few days ahead of average. Condition of Wheat is rated as 1 percent poor, 41 percent fair, 56 percent good and 2 percent excellent. Most of the crop has had adequate moisture for normal germination.

Pasture condition ratings averaged 18 percent very poor, 23 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 20 percent good and 1 percent excellent, similar to a week earlier. Pastures in the southwest district are rated lowest, with 96 percent averaging poor or very poor, followed by the northeast district at 55 percent in those categories. Stock water supplies are rated at 19 percent very short, 24 percent short, 56 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus, nearly unchanged from a week earlier. Many reporters remain concerned about the need for better water levels in stock ponds.