May 21, 2011, according to a well-publicized prediction, was supposed to be Judgment Day. Instead, the only thing that rose to the sky that day was dust from a determined week of planting by Mid-South farmers.

According to USDA’s Crop Progress report for the week ending May 22, Arkansas cotton producers have now planted 80 percent of their intended cotton acres, compared to 47 percent the previous week, while Louisiana moved from 91 percent to 96 percent complete, Mississippi, from 53 percent to 81 percent complete, Missouri, from 39 percent to 77 percent complete, and Tennessee, from 18 percent to 46 percent complete. Nationwide, 57 percent of the intended cotton crop has been planted.

Louisiana and Mississippi rice producers have planted virtually all their intended rice acres, at 99 percent and 94 percent complete, respectively, while Arkansas lags a little behind at 84 percent complete. Missouri rice producers have planted only 53 percent of their rice crop, compared to 100 percent this time last year. Thirty-nine percent of the rice emerged in Missouri is rated in poor condition, according to the report.

Arkansas has planted 39 percent of its intended soybean acreage, compared to a 5-year average of 50 percent. Louisiana has planted 87 percent of its soybean acreage compared to a 5-year average of 78 percent. Mississippi has planted 80 percent of  its soybean acreage, compared to a 5-year average of 88 percent, while Tennessee has planted 24 percent of its soybean acreage compared to a 5-year average of 35 percent.