Arkansas crop progress ahead of last year

Warmer than usual weather and adequate rain fall has helped Arkansas farmers get a jump on spring planting. They had on average had 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork last week and reported roughly 90% of their field’s topsoil moisture measured adequate or better.

Farmers had 59% of the corn crop planted, which was 17% ahead of last year and 23% above the five-year average. Roughly 16% of the corn planted showed emergence last week, that was 7% head of the year-ago period.

Rice farmers had sowed about 18% of their annual crop as of last week, that was 11% ahead of a year ago.

Producers were able to get 4% of the soybean crop planted last week, 3% more than the same  time frame in 2011.

Livestock owners say pasture and range conditions are  in pretty good condition.Producers continued spraying and fertilizing their pastures. Hay condition was mostly good to excellent due to favorable weather.