News

Missouri farmers keep quick planting pace

A west-central Missouri farmer is getting close to wrapping up spring planting.

Ronnie Russell, a farmer in Ray County, says the dry conditions have made planting go “scary fast” this year.

“Things are going pretty well right now and I hope to finish up with soybeans on Tuesday,” says Russell. “I also have a lot of hay to work on as well.”

USDA says soybean planting is 74% complete across the state, well ahead of average and 54% of the crop is emerged.

Missouri farmers have 97% of the corn planted, ahead of the five-year average and one of the fastest planting paces in the country. 88% of Missouri’s corn has emerged, ahead of average with conditions rated 56% good to excellent.

In the latest Crop Progress report, USDA says cotton planting is 81% complete with rice planting nearing completion. The majority of winter wheat in Missouri is headed with 59% of the crop rated good to excellent.

Photo credit: Ronnie Russell