Soggy weather slows planting

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Wet weather last week slowed fieldwork in most of the state, the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service said Monday. An average of 3.4 days were suitable for planting, ranging from a low of three days or less throughout northern and central Missouri to five days in south-central and southeast portions of the state.

Some northern and western parts of the state reported that more than 40 percent of fields had extra moisture, the Missouri Agricultural Statistics Service said.

The corn crop has borne the brunt of heavy rains and storm damage, with 13 percent of crops in the northwest rating at poor or very poor. Across the state, the crop's condition is rated as 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 59 percent good and 17 percent excellent.

Eighty-five percent of the soybean crop has been planted and 73 percent has emerged, both about five days ahead of last year and the five-year average. Condition of the crop is 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 58 percent good and 10 percent excellent.

Sorghum planting is 91 percent complete, eight days ahead of last year and six days ahead of the 85 percent average. The rice crop is rated 1 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 57 percent good and 26 percent excellent.

About a quarter of the cotton crop is squaring, a week ahead of last year's late crop and a day ahead of the five-year average. The crop is rated at 1 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 65 percent good and 9 percent excellent.

All but four percent of the state's pasture lands are rated fair or better with fields in almost all areas producing above average growth because of wet weather.