What’s Happening With Missouri Crops?

The USDA published the latest Crop Progress report on Monday, July 28. Here’s a closer look at recent weather and the status of Missouri’s most important crops in late July.

Weather

Most of the northern half of Missouri has more than double the normal amount of moisture for this time of year, with the southern half near average. However, some parts only have half of what’s normal, according the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. 

In Monday’s Crop Progress report, the USDA said farmers had 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork the week that ended July 27, compared with 6.4 days at this time last year.

The USDA rated Missouri topsoil moisture 8% short, 71% adequate, and 21% surplus — there were no very short ratings. Subsoil moisture conditions in the state were rated 12% short, 76% adequate, and 12% surplus — again, there were no very short ratings.

Corn

Acreage Estimates

According to the June 30 Acreage report, Missouri farmers planted 3.9 million acres of corn in 2025. This is up from 3.45 million acres from the previous year, the USDA said.

Pest and Disease Pressure

A map published by the Crop Protection Network shows 21 positive tar spot cases. These counties have been affected:

• Nodaway County — reported June 16
• Chariton County — reported June 19
• Cooper County — reported June 23
• Howard County — reported June 23
• Saline County — reported June 23
• Audrain County — reported June 24
• Lafayette County — reported June 25
• Andrews County — reported June 29
• Gentry County — reported June 29
• Boone County — reported July 2
• Knox County — reported July 2
• Ralls County — reported July 2
• Buchanan County — reported July 7
• DeKalb County — reported July 7
• Platte County — reported July 8
• Lewis County — reported July 11
• St. Clair County — reported July 16
• Marion County — reported July 17
• Vernon County — reported July 24
• Carroll County — reported July 25
• Pettis County — reported July 28

University of Missouri Extension specialists are encouraging corn growers to look for signs of corn leafhopper, which threatens yields. Corn leafhoppers have been confirmed in Lawrence and Boone counties in early July, Extension state crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida said in a July 16 article.

He explained the small insect is pale yellow to greenish yellow in color and feeds on corn and its relatives. However, it also transmits pathogens that can cause corn stunt disease. This disease can lead to short stalks, misshapen ears, and reduced grain quality. 

Early scouting is crucial to keep the disease manageable. 

“Corn stunt symptoms generally appear within 30 days of infection. By then, there is nothing farmers can do,” Valmorbida warned. 

Silking Progress

The USDA reported that 91% of Missouri’s corn crop has reached the silk growth stage. That is slightly better than the five-year average of 89%. Last year at this time, 92% of the state’s corn had reached the silk growth stage.

Corn Dough

The latest Crop Progress report said 48% of Missouri’s corn crop has reached the dough stage. That is just ahead of the five-year average of 47%. Last year at this time, 60% of the state’s corn had reached the dough stage.

Corn Condition

For the week that ended July 27, the USDA rated Missouri corn 1% very poor, 5% poor, 15% fair, 52% good, and 17% excellent.

The national average ratings are 2% very poor, 5% poor, 20% fair, 53% good, and 20% excellent.

Soybeans

Acreage Estimates

The Acreage report published June 30 said Missouri farmers planted 5.7 million acres of soybeans this year. That is down 200,000 acres from 2024.

Pest and Disease Pressure

In a July 9 article, Valmorbida reported the first emergence of Dectes stem borer adults in a couple of Missouri locations during the first week of July. The Dectes stem borer has a single generation per year, and adult beetles begin emerging in June or early July. 

There are currently no economic thresholds for Dectes stem borer. Valmorbida said a few insecticides are registered for Dectes stem borer control but are generally not recommended because proper timely is extremely difficult. 

He recommended controlling weed hosts, such as cocklebur and giant ragweed, to reduce the number of egg-laying sites for female beetles, and scouting to find tunneling and live larvae. Fields with high percentages of infested stems should be harvested as soon as possible to help reduce losses from lodged plants, he said.

Blooming Progress

The latest Crop Progress report said 67% of Missouri soybeans are blooming. That is marginally better than the five-year average of 63%, and 66% this time last year. 

Soybeans Setting Pods

Missouri has 34% of its soybeans setting pods, ahead of the 29% five-year average. Last year had 35% setting pods. 

Soybean Condition

For the week that ended July 27, the USDA rated Missouri soybeans 3% poor, 19% fair, 69% good, and 9% excellent. There were none rated as very poor. 

The national average ratings are 1% very poor, 5% poor, 24% fair, 55% good, and 15% excellent over the same time period.

Cotton

Acreage Estimates

The USDA Acreage Report said Missouri farmers planted 350,000 acres of cotton, down 50,000 acres from last year. 

Cotton Squaring

The latest Crop Progress report said 86% of Missouri cotton is squaring, compared with 90% last year. That is on track with the five-year average of 86%. 

Cotton Setting Bolls

The USDA reported 37% of Missouri cotton is setting bolls, compared with 42% last year. That is behind the five-year average of 45%.

Cotton Condition

For the week that ended July 27, the USDA rated Missouri cotton 14% poor, 27% fair, and 59% good. None were rated as very poor or excellent.

The national average ratings are 7% very poor, 7% poor, 31% fair, 44% good, and 11% excellent over the same time period.

Rice

Acreage Estimates

According to the USDA, Missouri farmers planted 190,000 acres of long-grain rice and 5,000 acres of medium-grain rice. 

Rice Headed

The USDA noted 45% of rice has headed in Missouri. This is ahead of the five-year average of 36%, and on track with last year at 44%.

Winter Wheat 

Acreage Estimates

The USDA’s acreage report said Missouri farmers planted 640,000 acres of wheat in 2025. That is down 300,000 acres from last year.

Winter Wheat Harvested

The USDA noted 100% of Missouri winter wheat has been harvested. 

Pasture and Range

The USDA rated pasture and range conditions in the state as 1% poor, 11% fair, 74% good, and 14% excellent. No acres were rated as very poor. 

The 48-state average is 9% very poor, 17% poor, 29% fair, 34% good, and 11% excellent. 

Missouri farmers planted 3 million acres of hay, up 155,000 acres from last year.