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Dry weather helps haying
Missouri Farmers took advantage of mostly dry weather during the week ending June 17 to harvest hay and fescue seed, catching up to the normal pace and benefiting from yields that were better than expected in many areas, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Missouri Field Office, June 18. The clear weather was also helpful for wheat harvesting, which has started across the state. However, the eastern side of the state is becoming increasingly dry, especially the Bootheel, where the dearth of rain is stressing crops and forcing farmers to spray increased insect populations. The southwest is beset by the opposite problem of too much rain, with thunderstorms bringing drenching rains early in the week. Topsoil moisture rates 8 percent very short, 26 percent short, 57 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. The three eastern districts had substantial increases in soils rated short to very short, with the northeast at 48 percent in those categories, the east-central at 68 percent, and the southeast at 93 percent. There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork. corn silking is beginning at the usual time, with the state at 4 percent and the majority taking place in the Bootheel. Reports indicate the crop is growing well in most areas, taking on a darker green color as roots tap into nitrogen. However, dryness is becoming a concern to the east. corn in good to excellent condition dropped 15 points from last week in the northeast district, 13 points in the southeast, and 7 points in the east-central. State-wide, the condition rating fell 4 points to 3 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. Soybean planting, at 90 percent complete, and emergence, at 79 percent, are both a few days behind last year but about even with the five-year averages. The southwest district is still planting at a very sluggish pace due to heavy rain, with only 10 percent planted compared to at least 80 percent in all other districts. Emergence remains a problem in dryland Bootheel fields planted behind wheat, while early growth has been slowed in other dry areas. Soybean condition is 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 5 percent excellent, a slight deterioration from last week. sorghum planting is 87 percent complete, 2 weeks behind last year and 6 days behind average. sorghum heading is at 3 percent. Condition is rated 4 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Rice heading is beginning in the Bootheel. Rice condition rates 4 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 21 percent excellent, a substantial improvement from last week as irrigation begins to take affect. cotton squaring is at 35 percent, about 4 days ahead of last year and average. Two percent is setting bolls. cotton condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 18 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 2 percent excellent, a moderate drop from last week. Wheat harvest progressed into northern areas, standing at 21 percent complete statewide. Early yield reports have been disappointing. wheat condition is rated 24 percent very poor, 30 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 11 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. The first cutting of alfalfa is 90 percent harvested, while other hay is 63 percent harvested, both behind last year but near the normal rates of progress. Pasture condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. Stable pasture condition, surprisingly good hay yields on the first cutting, and good prospects for the second cutting should help alleviate the hay deficit for cattle producers. Date: 6/21/07
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