USDA: Missouri crops need cool, wet August

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture says June's floods and July's hot dry weather are causing the state's corn and soybean crops to come under stress.

It appears the state's soybean crop is in the most danger at the moment.

USDA estimates show that Missouri soybean farmer will harvest 20,000 acres less of the crop than last year. Yield is forecast at 39 bushels per acre, down 2.5 bushels from last year. Overall production is forecast at 197 million bushels, six percent below last year, but still the fourth largest soybean crop in Missouri on record.

"Cooler and wetter weather will be needed in August to maintain soybean prospects," said Gene Danekas, Director, USDA-Missouri Agricultural Statistics. "A difficult growing season coupled with localized flooding and one of the hottest Julys on record have stressed this year's corn and soybean crops statewide."

Corn acres planted and harvested are predicted to be up 3 percent over last year. Yield is expected at 126 bushels per acre, up three bushels from last year, but down 27 bushels from 2009. Overall production is estimated at 391 million bushels statewide, up five percent from last year.

Missouri rice farmers apparently took a hit from the southeast Missouri floods. Acres planted and harvested are both more than 40 percent below last year's all time record. The USDA estimates planted acres at 145,000 acres, off 43 percent from 2010. Harvested acres are set at 135,000. The yield is expected at 6,800 pounds per acre, up 320 per acre over last year.The estimate of overall rice production of 9.18 million hundredweight will be the lowest output since 1998.