Scattered progress made with harvest

Missouri

Rain interrupted harvest activities for many farmers during the week ending Sept. 17 and slowed the dry-down of maturing crops, according to the Missouri Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Sept. 18.

Sporadic progress was still made in corn and milo harvest, keeping the harvest pace at or above normal on a statewide basis for those crops. Rice harvest is ahead of normal in the Bootheel, while the cotton harvest is in its initial stages. A smattering of Wheat seeding and soybean harvest were the other activities of the week.

Topsoil moisture supplies are rated 20 percent very short, 30 percent short, 48 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus, an increase of 6 points in adequate to surplus over last week. There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork.

Ninety percent of the corn crop is mature, 3 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the five-year average of 83 percent. Harvest is 44 percent complete, 1 day ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of normal. Field reporters continue to find yield coming in higher than expected.

Soybeans turning color is at 67 percent, 1 day behind last year but 3 days ahead of normal. Thirty-two percent is dropping leaves, 1 day behind last year but 1 day ahead of normal. Six percent of the crop is mature, marginally behind last year and average. Condition of the bean crop rates 6 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 39 percent good, and 7 percent excellent, a slight improvement from last week.

Ninety-three percent of the sorghum crop is turning color, even with last year but 3 days ahead of normal. Sorghum mature is at 65 percent, 1 day behind last year but 4 days ahead of average. Sorghum harvest is 23 percent complete, about even with last year and the normal pace. Condition of the crop is rated 1 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 44 percent good, and 4 percent excellent.

Rice harvest is 29 percent complete, 9 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of normal. Rice condition is rated 2 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 32 percent excellent. The portion of the cotton crop opening bolls advanced to 71 percent, 3 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of normal. Cotton harvest is 2 percent complete. Condition of the crop is 5 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 67 percent good, and 6 percent excellent.

Pasture condition rates 35 percent very poor, 24 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 17 percent good, and 2 percent excellent. While statewide pasture condition has steadily improved in recent weeks, most of the gains have been in the northwest and north-central districts. Other districts continue to languish with most of their pastures ranging from fair to very poor in condition. Lack of livestock water and winter hay supply remains a concern in the southern two-thirds of the state.

Date: 9/22/06

	Web hpj.com

Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2008.  High Plains Publishers, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com