Heavy Rains Pause Planting

For the week ending May 10, 2015, rain fell statewide with an inch common in central counties and two or more inches of moisture recorded in many eastern and western areas, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall of six to ten inches was received in portions of the Southeast, resulting in lowland flooding and soil erosion. Replanting was expected. Up to two feet of snow fell in portions of the northern Panhandle over the weekend, stressing livestock.

 

 

 

Planting progress slowed due to the wet soil conditions, but were still ahead of average for most crops. There were 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 17 short, 64 adequate, and 13 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 8 percent very short, 23 short, 63 adequate, and 6 surplus.

 

 

 

Corn planted was at 76 percent, near 72 last year, but ahead of the five-year average of 67. Corn emerged was 30 percent, ahead of 16 last year and 18 average.