RAINS DELAY CORN PLANTING; FARMERS CONSIDER SWITCH IN CROPS

JACKSON -- "Don't switch yet!'

That is the advice of a Missouri agriculture statistician during a recent teleconference from the University of Missouri Extension Service, concerning the planting of corn.

Wet weather has slowed spring planting in most parts of the state, with fieldwork practically at a standstill, according to the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Office reported.

"Corn farmers are getting anxious," said Terry Birk of the Cape Girardeau County USDA office here. "Corn planning is only 50 to 55 percent complete at best in Cape Girardeau County, and once you get past May 10 in planting the yield is going to suffer."

But, Birk quickly points to a year ago.

"Farmers planted corn as late as June 20, and still had respectable yields," said Birk. "But, that was probably the exception rather than the rule. We had some great weather from mid-June though harvest."

Statewide, the 1990 corn crop was one of the 5th best on record. "A lot of farmers planted corn in June last year," said Walsh. "Yet, the state average was 160 bushels per acre."

"There's a saying that corn yields start dropping a bushel per acre per day for every day that corn planting is delayed past May 10," said Birk. "But delaying past that date is not a washout."

Birk said some farmers would hold off switching to milo or soybeans until later in the month, then consider switching.

"Planting soybeans and milo by the first of June is normal," he said. "Right now, farmers can't get into their fields in most of the area. Barring additional rains, it could be the weekend before the soil is workable."

Another problem with corn is cool weather. Agronomists say corn should be planted when the soil temperature is 55 degrees or more to allow the seed to germinate, and soil temperatures have been under that in most area.

More rain is expected throughout the state this week.

The U.S. Weather Service is calling for above normal rainfall in its 30-day outlook for Missouri. The short-term look is for possible rains and thunderstorms the remainder of this week and into the weekend.

Before the rains of last weekend, topsoil moisture averaged one percent short, 52 percent adequate and 47 percent surplus. The effect of the moisture showed in pasture conditions, which were rated 12 percent fair, 73 percent good and 15 percent excellent, the statistics office said Monday in its weekly report.

About 86 percent of the ground intended for spring crops has been worked at least once, which is in line with the five-year average.

Statewide, more than half of the intended corn crop, about 56 percent, has been planted. That is nearly two years behind the five-year average but three weeks ahead of last year's wet spring.

Among other crops, the planned soybean crop is four percent planted. Sorghum is at 12 percent and cotton is 33 percent planted. The first crop of alfalfa is 9 percent cut, about two weeks ahead of last year.

The winter wheat crop is rated at 34 percent fair, 62 percent good and three percent excellent, slightly lower than the ratings of a week earlier.