A warm, dry December had an impact on Missouri’s winter wheat crop.
The USDA says 44% of the crop is called good to excellent, a drop of 18% from the end of November, with another 50% in fair shape, a gain of 4%.
The average statewide temperature was more than 11 degrees above normal, while precipitation was about a half an inch below usual levels.
44% of Missouri topsoil and 30% of subsoil are short to very short of moisture.
