The advent of drier weather last week cleared the way for producers to harvest 2nd and sometimes 3rd hay cuttings. Many crops are showing benefits from incessant rains earlier in the season, which increased deep soil moistures. That moisture is now sustaining some crops and helping them thrive. Some dark fired tobacco was harvested last week. Most producers reported no major insect or disease issues. There were 5.9 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 3 percent very short, 13 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 12 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.

CROP PROGRESS

Corn – Silking – 97 percent this week, 94 percent last week

Corn – Dough – 79 percent this week, 66 percent last week

Corn – Dented – 22 percent this week

Cotton – Squared – 97 percent this week, 88 percent last week

Cotton – Setting Bolls – 65 percent this week, 47 percent last week

Soybeans – Blooming – 78 percent this week, 68 percent last week

Soybeans – Setting Pods – 54 percent this week, 41 percent last week

Tobacco – Topped – 65 percent this week, 53 percent last week

FIELD CONDITIONS

Corn – 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 59 percent good and 27 percent excellent

Cotton – 4 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 54 percent good and 14 percent excellent

Soybeans – 2 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 61 percent good and 16 percent excellent

Tobacco – 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 55 percent good and 12 percent excellent

Pasture – 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 57 percent good and 12 percent excellent

Hay – 5 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 57 percent good and 12 percent excellent

Cattle – 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 64 percent good and 13 percent excellent

CATTLE REPORT

Compared to last week, feeder steers were mostly steady to 5.00 higher, while feeder heifers were mostly steady to 3.00 higher. A higher quality offering was noted throughout the week, with the best demand noted for vaccinated cattle weaned 30 days or more. Slaughter cows were steady to 1.00 higher, and slaughter bulls mostly steady to 2.00 lower.

STATE AVERAGES

Steers (M&L 1-2) This Week Prior Week Last Year

300-350 lbs 162.89 156.44 170.05

350-400 lbs 156.54 149.04 164.96

400-450 lbs 154.33 149.27 159.33

450-500 lbs 150.99 148.95 158.40

500-550 lbs 146.38 143.97 153.78

550-600 lbs 143.98 142.17 153.20

600-650 lbs 141.18 140.27 144.86

650-700 lbs 137.65 136.96 141.60

700-750 lbs 130.48 128.34 138.53

750-800 lbs 129.50 127.22 137.26

Heifers (M&L 1-2)

300-350 lbs 132.47 130.64 153.22 230.01

350-400 lbs 129.66 128.94 148.47

400-450 lbs 129.17 128.05 142.58

450-500 lbs 127.69 125.10 142.20

500-550 lbs 126.32 121.95 135.69

550-600 lbs 123.70 120.42 134.66

600-650 lbs 118.71 115.52 133.11

650-700 lbs 121.82 113.41 127.65

700-750 lbs 111.53 108.72 119.58

750-800 lbs 113.45 107.19 120.00

WEELY COW SUMMARY

Slaughter Cows Average High Low

Breakers 53.50-71.00 65.00-76.00 49.50-56.50

Boners 52.00-73.00 60.00-78.00 45.00-58.00

Lean 42.00-60.00 35.00-45.00

Slaughter Bulls Average High Low

Yield Grade 1’s 75.00-95.00 88.00-109.00 70.00-80.00