Corn harvest progresses at faster-than-normal pace

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Good weather has moved the corn harvest along at a faster pace than normal, the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday.

About 6.4 days were suitable for fieldwork last week and the corn harvest was 43 percent complete, 11 days head of last year and nine days ahead of average, the agency said. Eighty-four percent of the corn is mature, six days ahead of last year and four days ahead of average.

Fifty-eight percent of soybeans were turning color, and 87 percent of the sorghum crop was turning color.

Bolls have opened on 54 percent of the cotton crop, more than a week behind both last year and normal. Cotton condition was reported as 8 percent very poor, 21 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 47 percent good and 2 percent excellent, similar to a week earlier.

Rice condition was reported as 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 57 percent good and 21 percent excellent, slightly better than the previous week.

The topsoil moisture supply showed a further decline to 41 percent very short, 44 percent short and 15 percent adequate, with almost all areas indicating major shortages, the service said.

Pasture condition ratings declined to 33 percent very poor, 31 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 10 percent good and 1 percent excellent.