Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending August 17, 2014.
For the week ending August 17, 2014, rain in the central part of the State helped reduce the need for irrigation, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Dryland crops in areas that did not receive rain were showing stress. Cooler weather in the eastern part of the State slowed crop development, while warmer temperatures in the west helped dry down hay.
There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 31 short, 61 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 11 percent very short, 32 short, 57 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Field Crops Report: Corn conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 6 poor, 21 fair, 50 good, and 20 excellent. Corn dough was 78 percent, well ahead of 64 last year, but near 75 for the five-year average. Corn dented was 20 percent, ahead of 10 last year, but behind 29 average.
Soybean conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 22 fair, 53 good, and 17 excellent. Soybeans setting pods was 89 percent, near 86 last year and 87 average.
Sorghum conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 33 fair, 41 good, and 19 excellent. Sorghum headed was 90 percent, ahead of 74 last year and 79 average. Sorghum coloring was 37 percent, well ahead of 2 last year and 7 average.
Dry bean conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 1 poor, 15 fair, 60 good, and 21 excellent. Dry beans blooming was 92 percent. Dry beans setting pods was 86 percent, behind 90 last year, but equal to the average.
Alfalfa hay conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 7 poor, 31 fair, 50 good, and 10 excellent. Alfalfa hay third cutting was 68 percent complete, ahead of 55 last year, but equal to the average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture and range conditions rated 7 percent very poor, 11 poor, 34 fair, 41 good, and 7 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 2 percent very short, 9 short, 88 adequate, and 1 surplus.
