Planting progress in several areas of the state, most notably northeast and Southeast Missouri, is behind because of excessive rainfall and flooding in some areas.
Unfortunately for farmers, said Anthony Ohmes, a regional agronomist for the University of Missouri Extension in the southeast region, the wet weather pattern hasn't let up to allow ground to dry, meaning some soybean yields could be down come harvest time because the plants need a full growing season.
June planting of soybeans versus May planting can decrease yield by 25 percent or more, according to experiments by the University of Missouri Extension.
As of June 14, the USDA reported, only 42 percent of soybean planting in Missouri was complete, up from 23 percent through May 31, though lagging far behind the acreage planted on the same date in 2014, at 85 percent.
Corn and milo plants also can become stressed in standing water, and Ohmes said Thursday some area corn producers were expecting their plants to go under soon from flooding. The extent to which crops are damaged depends on how long plants stay under water.
The Mississippi River is expected to crest at 43 1/2 feet Tuesday afternoon. Historically, thousands of acres of farmland in Southeast Missouri are flooded when the river crest reaches that level.