Improving drought conditions having positive effect on Missouri crops

By Jenna Wilson

With drought conditions slowly improving across Missouri, crop conditions are looking up compared to last year’s levels.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as of August, corn and soybean conditions in Missouri are improving.

USDA’s Crop Progress report shows that Missouri’s corn is the best in the country. Missouri’s corn was rated 79% good to excellent, the most in the two categories combined of all top corn-growing states, with 64% of the crop dented and 7% mature.

Soybeans are rated 80% good to excellent, with 74% of the crop setting pods and 1% dropping leaves.

“One of the things causing this positive impact is moisture, which has a lot to do with crop conditions,” said Tim Gach, with Buchanan County Farm Bureau. “Currently this year, we’re about 4 to 5 inches over what’s normal. While that’s an important statistic, the more important statistic to that is not so much that we’re over, but if you get a half or three quarters of an inch of rain, that that can really set off a crop to growing.”

Periods of flooding in both Iowa and Missouri this summer may have impacted some corn yields, especially if it occurred at different stages of the corn plant’s growth, however, ponds are in the process of replenishing from the drought and local farmers are hopeful that crop conditions will continue to improve and lessen prices in stores.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” Gach said. “Of course, Mother Nature is undefeated, and you have to mitigate through conditions as best you can. But with improving conditions and better crops, the less price we get for that crop and corn and soybeans are very low right now in terms of the price that we get.”