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Missouri farmers push soybean planting as corn, rice progress advances

The USDA says soybean planting progress has nearly doubled in the last week across Missouri, now at 14 percent complete.

Andre Reis with University of Missouri Extension tells Brownfield each region of the state varies on progress, based on temperatures and the recent rains.

“We definitely got more rainfall in the northeast region, for instance, than central or even southeast regions.”

Reis says farmers should plant soybeans as soon as conditions are favorable. While planting early is beneficial for yield, Reis says it also brings risks.

“The risk is poor stand establishment, and there’s a risk of perhaps too much rainfall at some point during April.”

Overall, Reis says he’s optimistic for the state’s soybean crop as the season begins.

USDA also says corn planting is 23 percent complete in Missouri, with 11 percent of the crop emerged. Rice is 36 percent planted, 11 percent emerged.