Rain slows Missouri farmers, but spring planting still on track

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Planting and tilling across Missouri is on pace with last year, although fieldwork was limited last week by much-needed rain, the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service said Monday.

Farmers across the state averaged only 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork, after an average of 5.2 days the week before.

About 65 percent of the ground worked for this year's crops has been tilled, the same as last year, but still ahead of the five-year average of 60 percent.

Corn planting is also on the same pace as last year, with 48 percent complete. The planting remains ahead of the five-year average of 35 percent. Southwestern farmers are the farthest along, with 87 percent of their corn planted.

Five percent of sorghum has been planted, with cotton planting 4 percent complete, both on track with the normal pace.

Rice planting is 12 percent complete, several days ahead of last year and the five-year average.

An average of 1.17 inches of rain fell across the state last week, with northwestern Missouri receiving the most at 2.15 inches.