Hot, dry weather persisted across the state last week, allowing farmers to make good progress harvesting most crops. Corn and soybean harvest continued with producers continuing to report favorable yields for both corn and early crop beans. Yields of late crop beans, however, look to be substantially lower than those of the early crop beans. Tobacco harvest neared completion. Planting of wheat and fall seeding of pastures were delayed as farmers waited for rains to replenish soil moisture supplies. Pasture conditions continued to deteriorate, forcing more livestock producers to start feeding hay. There were 6.7 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated 48 percent very short, 36 percent short, and 16 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture was rated 36 percent very short, 48 percent short, and 16 percent adequate.

CROP PROGRESS

Corn (mature) – 100 percent this week, 98 percent last week

Corn (harvested) – 88 percent this week, 74 percent last week

Cotton (bolls opening) – 90 percent this week, 82 percent last week

Cotton (harvested) – 22 percent this week, 12 percent last week

Soybeans (dropping leaves) – 85 percent this week, 71 percent last week

Soybeans (harvested) – 39 percent this week, 27 percent last week

Tobacco (cut) – 97 percent this week, 94 percent last week

Winter Wheat (planted) – 16 percent this week, 10 percent last week

Winter Wheat (emerged) – 3 percent this week, 2 percent last week

CROP CONDITIONS

Corn – 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 55 percent good and 30 percent excellent

Cotton – 4 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 45 percent good and 18 percent excellent

Soybeans – 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 47 percent good and 12 percent excellent

Tobacco – 7 percent very poor, 18 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 32 percent good and 10 percent excellent

Pasture – 20 percent very poor, 45 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 7 percent good and 2 percent excellent

 

CATTLE REPORT

Compared to last week, feeder steers were mostly steady to 3.00 lower; feeder heifers 3.00-5.00 lower. Demand for feeders was light to moderate with the best demand noted regularly on preconditioned feeder cattle weaned a minimum of 30 days. Slaughter cows were 2.00-3.00 lower and slaughter bulls 2.00-4.00 lower for the week. Unseasonably hot temperatures continued to prevail throughout the state this week, but cooler, more favorable temperatures are forecasted for the area soon which will bring welcome relief to livestock and producers alike. Supply included: 83% Feeder Cattle (35% Steers, 0% Dairy Steers, 45% Heifers, 19% Bulls, 0% Dairy Heifers); 10% Slaughter Cattle 88% Cows, 12% Bulls); 7% Replacement Cattle (3% Stock Cows, 63% Bred Cows, 8% Bred Heifers, 25% Cow-Calf Pairs, 2% Bulls). Feeder cattle supply over 600 lbs was 35%.

STATE AVERAGES

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

300-350 lbs 148.28 141.92 169.91

350-400 lbs 149.21 144.60 163.28

400-450 lbs 142.44 145.90 158.72

450-500 lbs 138.97 144.65 156.48

500-550 lbs 136.23 133.81 152.57

550-600 lbs 130.21 132.23 148.00

600-650 lbs 128.51 130.55 144.60

650-700 lbs 127.44 126.69 141.83

700-750 lbs 121.04 126.99 140.79

750-800 lbs 124.06 120.31 137.92

Heifers (M&L 1-2)

300-350 lbs 118.17 121.56 143.00 230.01

350-400 lbs 117.92 120.59 139.43

400-450 lbs 115.84 119.65 136.93

450-500 lbs 115.70 118.74 135.92

500-550 lbs 114.51 115.31 131.93

550-600 lbs 112.81 111.88 129.02

600-650 lbs 109.68 109.36 128.64

650-700 lbs 110.46 109.40 125.50

700-750 lbs 105.12 106.68 121.71

750-800 lbs 103.12 100.46 120.01

WEELY COW SUMMARY

Slaughter Cows Average High Low

Breakers 42.00-57.00 51.00-58.00 35.00-49.00

Boners 43.00-74.00 48.00-64.00 32.00-48.00

Lean 34.00-52.00 24.00-42.00

Slaughter Bulls Average High Low

Yield Grade 1’s 65.00-82.00 75.00-101.00 55.00-76.00