By Blake Jackson
Missouri farmers made significant progress in planting corn, soybeans, cotton, and rice during the week ending April 28, 2024, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Favorable conditions with 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork and above-normal precipitation of 3.21 inches aided planting activities.
Corn planting reached 63%, well ahead of the five-year average of 40% for this time period. Emergence also outpaced the historical average, with 35% of corn already emerged compared to the five-year average of 10%. Similarly, soybean planting progressed to 24%, exceeding the five-year average of 9%, with emergence reaching 9% compared to the historical average of 2%.
Cotton planting, though less prominent in Missouri compared to other crops, also benefited from the wet conditions. Ten percent of the cotton crop has been planted, exceeding the five-year average of 3%. Emergence for cotton is at 1%.
Rice planting is another success story, with 68% of the crops planted, nearly double the five-year average of 37%. Rice emergence reached 24%, exceeding the historical average of 16%.
Winter wheat continued its development, with 51% of the crop now headed, significantly ahead of the five-year average of 17%. Winter wheat condition remained positive, with 1% rated very poor, 1% poor, 20% fair, 69% good, and 9% excellent.
Here's a quick summary of crop progress compared to the five-year average:
- Corn: Planted - 63% (vs. 40%), Emerged - 35% (vs. 10%)
- Soybeans: Planted - 24% (vs. 9%), Emerged - 9% (vs. 2%)
- Cotton: Planted - 10% (vs. 3%), Emerged - 1% (No historical data)
- Rice: Planted - 68% (vs. 37%), Emerged - 24% (vs. 16%)
- Winter Wheat Headed: 51% (vs. 17%)
Pasture conditions also improved slightly, with 2% rated very poor, 6% poor, 32% fair, 58% good, and 2% excellent.
Missouri farmers have taken advantage of the favorable weather conditions to make significant progress in planting key crops. Continued monitoring of soil moisture will be important as the growing season progresses.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-livingimages
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Corn, Soybeans