Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending May 4, 2014.
For the week ending May 4, 2014, dry, windy conditions prevailed with precipitation limited to eastern and northern counties, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. With 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork, significant planting progress was made. Topsoil moisture supplies declined to 31 percent very short, 39 short, 30 adequate, and 0 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 32 percent very short, 42 short, 26 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 18 percent very poor, 29 poor, 36 fair, 16 good, and 1 excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 78 percent, ahead of 65 last year but behind the five-year average of 86. Winter wheat headed was 15 percent, ahead of 3 last year but behind 29 average.
Corn planted was 52 percent complete, ahead of 16 last year and 46 average. Corn emerged was 19 percent, ahead of 2 last year but near 17 average.
Cotton planted was 6 percent complete, compared to 0 last year and near 2 average.
Sorghum planted was 1 percent, compared to 0 last year and near 2 average.
Soybeans planted was 4 percent complete, compared to 0 last year and near 5 average.
Alfalfa hay condition was 5 percent very poor, 20 poor, 45 fair, 28 good, and 2 excellent. Three percent of alfalfa first cutting was complete, compared to 0 last year and 12 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture range condition rated 12 percent very poor, 21 poor, 43 fair, 23 good, and 1 excellent.
Stock water supplies were rated 18 percent very short, 30 short, 52 adequate, and 0 surplus.
