Hot weather shouldn't affect area crops too much

Weather forecasts for the week indicate temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s and heat indices over 100 degrees. A heat advisory has been put into the place for much of the region.

The extreme weather has the potential to create a number of problems, particularly for Southeast Missouri farmers who face possible crop damage if the hot temperatures persist.

As recently as last week, the environment was adequate for crops of corn, soybeans and cotton grown in the region to thrive, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Conditions for 71 percent of Missouri’s corn crop were rated as good or excellent. The case is the same for 65 percent of Missouri’s soybeans. Last week, 76 percent of Missouri cotton had reached the squaring stage, the period just before the cotton blooms.

Though high temperatures threaten local crops, an early planting season means many regional crops have matured to a point at which they have a strong chance of survival if the high temperatures continue.

“This year, farmers got in quite early,” said Michael Aide, professor and chairman of the Department of Agriculture at Southeast Missouri State University.

A moderate April made planting ideal. Many crops are well established at this point, thanks to the early planting.

The maturity of the local crops is what most likely will ensure their survival if the week brings harsh temperatures.

“You have to look at where the period of heat occurs with respect to the growth of the plant,” Aide said.

Corn already has gone through flowering and pollination, which is the most critical time, as far as temperatures are concerned.

Depending on when they were planted, most soybeans are going through some sort of pollination, which can be affected negatively by the heat.

Rice, which is grown further south, can experience sterility during prolonged high temperatures.

“Around our area, the corn could use a little bit of rain, but at the same time, we have bean fields that need to dry out a little bit,” Cassy Landewee, precision agriculture consultant at MFA in Chaffee, Missouri, said. Bean crops in her region have weed issues that can’t be dealt with until the fields are dry.

If the high temperatures persist, the crops may see some deterioration.

“I have a feeling we’ll see some heat stress out in the corn fields,” Landewee said.

But the current state of Southeast Missouri crops is strong.

Along with crops, livestock also can suffer during extended heat.

“Producers have to be especially vigilant with livestock,” Aide said, reminding farmers to keep their livestock well watered and fed and to ensure water misters are working properly.

bbrown@semissourian.com

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