Agricultural Summary
Scattered showers swept the northern portion of the state and the southeast district. There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture remained the same as last week at 90 percent very short, 9 percent short, and 1 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture also remained the same at 85 percent very short, 14 percent short, and 1 percent adequate.
Field Crops Report
Corn dough stage and beyond was 79 percent, 14 days ahead of last year, and 20 days ahead of normal (5-year average). Corn dented was 48 percent, 15 days ahead of last year, and 20 days ahead of normal. Corn mature was 9 percent, 18 days ahead of last year, and 3 weeks ahead of normal. Corn condition was 54 percent very poor, 29 percent poor, 12 percent fair, 4 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Harvesting corn for silage continued. Soybeansblooming and beyond were 74 percent, 1 week ahead of last year, and 11 days ahead of normal. Soybeans setting pods and beyond were 27 percent, 3 days ahead of last year, and 5 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition was 35 percent very poor, 37 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 6 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Cotton setting bolls and beyond were 40 percent, 8 days behind last year, and 12 days behind normal. Cotton condition was 12 percent very poor, 31 percent poor, 42 percent fair, 13 percent good, and 2 percent excellent. Riceheaded was 44 percent, 17 days ahead of last year, and 9 days ahead of normal. Rice condition was 5 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 20 percent excellent. Sorghum headed and beyond was 57 percent, 13 days ahead of last year, and 8 days ahead of normal. Sorghum turning color and beyond was 12 percent, 12 days ahead of last year, and 8 days ahead of normal. Sorghum condition was 24 percent very poor, 35 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 9 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting was 45 percent, 6 days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of normal. Few areas have been able to produce a 3rd cutting for alfalfa due to the drought.
Pasture & Livestock
Pasture condition decreased to 83 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, and only 2 percent adequate. Supply of hay and other roughages was 47 percent very short, 39 percent short, and 14 percent adequate. Stock water supplies were 58 percent very short, 33 percent short, and 9 percent adequate. Hay supplies going into the fall were a concern due to lack of suitable pasture and early hay feeding due to drought. Water supplies in the southern portion of the state remained a concern for some producers.
Weather Summary
Temperatures were 5 to 8 degrees above average around the state except the southeast district was 2 to 4 degrees above average. Precipitation averaged 0.48 of an inch.