Agricultural Summary
Although temperatures remained cool, little to no precipitation left producers seeking water for livestock. Clear skies meant 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supply remained a dramatic 90 percent very short, 9 percent short, and 1 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture supply followed suit at 90 percent very short, 9 percent short, and 1 percent adequate.
Field Crops Report
Corn dough stage and beyond was 96 percent, 11 days ahead of last year, and 16 days ahead of normal (5-year average). Corn dented was 85 percent, 10 days ahead of 2011, and 18 days ahead of normal. Corn mature was 51 percent, 17 days ahead of last year, and over 3 weeks ahead of normal. Corn harvested for grain was 18 percent, 3 weeks ahead of last year, and 24 days ahead of normal. Silage harvest continued, and aflatoxin was a concern in the northern part of the state. Corn condition remained similar to last week at 56 percent very poor, 28 percent poor, 12 percent fair, 3 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Soybeans blooming and beyond were 96 percent, 1 week ahead of last year, and 11 days ahead of normal. Soybeans setting pods and beyond were 76 percent, 5 days ahead of last year, and 7 days ahead of normal. Soybeans turning color were 4 percent, 10 days ahead of last year, and 1 week ahead of normal, and plants were just beginning to drop leaves. Condition was 43 percent very poor, 35 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 6 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Cotton setting bolls and beyond were 95 percent, 2 weeks behind last year, and 5 days behind normal. Cotton opening bolls was 19 percent, 11 days ahead of last year, and 8 days ahead normal. Cotton condition was 11 percent very poor, 30 percent poor, 41 percent fair, 16 percent good, and 2 percent excellent. Rice headed 88 percent, 2 weeks ahead of last year, and 10 days ahead of normal. Harvest began with rice condition at 5 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 20 percent excellent. Sorghum headed and beyond was 89 percent, 7 days ahead of last year, and 8 days ahead of normal. Sorghum turning color and beyond was 39 percent, 9 days ahead of last year, and 6 days ahead of normal. Sorghum mature was 5 percent 4 days ahead of last year, and 5 days ahead of normal. Sorghum condition was 27 percent very poor, 36 percent poor, 27 percent fair, and 10 percent good. Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting was 63 percent, 8 days behind last year, and 1 day behind normal.
Pasture & Livestock
Pasture condition declined from last week to 87 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, and 1 percent fair. Supply of hay and other roughages remained dire at 59 percent very short, 30 percent short, and 11 percent adequate. High nitrates remained a concern for forages. Some producers were selling off livestock early. Stock water supplies dropped to 69 percent very short, 25 percent short, and 6 percent adequate.
Weather Summary
Temperatures were 4 degrees to 6 degrees below average. Precipitation averaged 0.38 of an inch. The south-central district averaged 1.22 inches.