Crop development slowed by weather

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The development of crops in Missouri was slowed last week by cool temperatures, but they are still progressing ahead of normal, the Missouri Agricultural Services reported Monday.

The service said 89 percent of corn has reached the dough stage or beyond, with 65 percent dented and 11 percent mature. That puts denting progress four days ahead of last year and the five-year average, the state said in its weekly crop report.

Corn crops were rated as 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 55 percent good and 28 percent excellent.

Eighty-nine percent of soybeans were blooming and 69 percent were setting pods -- two days ahead of 2003 but on par with the five-year average. The crop was rated 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 55 percent good and 15 percent excellent.

An average of 6.6 days were suitable for fieldwork last week -- when virtually no rain was recorded. Pasture condition was reported at 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 64 percent good and 12 percent excellent.

Development of sorghum, meanwhile, was two days behind the norm, with 89 percent headed and 28 percent turning color. Sorghum was rated as 3 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 64 percent good and 14 percent excellent.

Among other crops:

-- Ninety-two percent of cotton is setting bolls and six percent is opening bolls, eight days behind last year and 12 days behind the five-year average. Cotton was rated 16 percent fair, 69 percent good and 15 percent excellent.

-- Sixty-eight percent of the third alfalfa crop has been cut, slightly behind a year ago but on par with the average. Ninety-seven percent of other hay had been cut, also slightly behind average.