Wet weather delays soybean plantingWet weather delays soybean planting

In a 65-mile stretch of Highway 94 along the Missouri River bottoms, there is quite a bit of variability in crop progress and conditions. There are fields too wet and yet to be planted and fields green with corn and soybeans.

Stopping roughly every 10 miles to photograph crop conditions, it is apparent that certain areas saw timely planting.

Corn chronicle

Some corn fields are already at the V5 stage, while others are just reaching V1. And there are some acres so wet that farmers are switching acres from corn to soybeans. Still, on average, the state's corn crop is progressing well ahead of last year.

According to the most recent USDA Crop Progress Report, 93% of Missouri's corn crop has emerged, well ahead of the just 74% last year and 22 points ahead of the 5-year average. The report notes that 75% of the acres are reported to be in good to excellent condition.

Soybean story

Farmers are still struggling to get their soybean acres planted in parts of the south and central regions of the state as wet weather tracked over those regions last week. There were just 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork last week, according to the USDA report.

Statewide rainfall averaged 1.44 inches, almost three-quarters of an inch above normal precipitation levels. However, some southern Missouri counties saw as much as 4 inches last week. Those counties across the midsection of the state reported anywhere from 1 to 2.5 inches of rainfall. The wet conditions are making it tough for farmers in these areas to put a dent soybean planting. As of last week, they were just one-third of the way through soybean planting.

Statewide, soybean planting progressed to 46% complete. A stark contrast to this same time last year, when farmers only had 19% of their soybean acres planted.

After 2015, the green leaves emerging on 25% of Missouri soybean acres right now are a welcome sight.

Check out the photos of crop conditions along one stretch of a Missouri highway on Missouri Ruralist Facebook page. Then like us on Facebook for growing season photo updates and interviews.