1. Number of days suitable for fieldwork Defined as "one where weather and field conditions allow work with machinery to be completed in fields a major portion of that day." A number from 0-7 should be entered for the number of days suitable for field work for the past week (Monday through Sunday).

2. Corn Phenological Stages: Emerged – When the plants are visible. Silking - The emergence of silk-like strands from the end of ears. Dough - Normally half of the kernels are showing a “dent” with some thick or dough-like substance in all kernels. Dent - Occurs when all kernels are fully “dented” and the ear is firm and solid. There is no milk present in most kernels. Mature - Corn is about ready to harvest with shucks opening and there is no green foliage present.

3. Soybean Phenological Stages: Emerged – When the plants are visible. Blooming - Plants should be considered blooming as soon as some blooms appear. Setting Pods - Pods are developing on the lower nodes with some blooming still occurring on the upper nodes. Dropping Leaves - Leaves near the bottom of the plant are yellow and dropping, while leaves at the very top may still be green. Leaves are 30-50 percent yellow.

4. Cotton Phenological Stages: Squaring – Cotton plants are considered to be squaring after the appearance of small triangular leaf- like structures on the growing tip of the main stem and/or branches. Setting Bolls –Occurs whenever bolls are visible or darkened blooms are observed falling to the ground. Bolls Opening - Cotton plants are considered in this stage whenever white fibers are visible through splits in the cotton bolls.

5. Sorghum Phenological Stages: Headed - The heads are present, visible, and fully emerged. Coloring - The heads are turning color from green to reddish brown or white. Leaves are also turning yellow or brown. Mature - Grains readily part from the head, are tough, and are not easily crushed by the thumbnail.

6. Wheat and Rice Phenological Stages: Emerged - When the plants are visible. Jointing (Wheat only) – The plants have started to develop nodes and may have four or five leaves present. Headed - The heads are present, visible, and fully emerged.

7. Crop Progress Each individual stage goes to 100% by itself. Soybeans% progress Planted 100 Emerged 100 Setting Pods 50 Harvested 5 Soybeans% progress Planted 5 Emerged 40 Setting Pods 50 Harvested 5 100 Doesn’t have to =100 for crop progress Note: You actually report what percent of the crop is in or passed through each stage. CorrectIncorrect

8. Progress Percentages: Enter each stage in percents, not in acres. For example, if half of the total current year soybean acreage has been harvested, enter a value of 50 percent.

9. Progress Percentages If unusual weather conditions alter farmers’ plans such that planting intentions are prevented or abruptly halt for the season, then a 100 percent progress should be reported since planting for that crop for that season is over.

10. Hay Supplies Very Short - Feeders do not have the supplies that are needed to last the remainder of the feeding season, and will not be able to obtain those supplies. Short - Feeders probably do not have the supplies that are needed for the remainder of the feeding season, and will have trouble obtaining those supplies from either hay growers or hay dealers. Adequate - Feeders have enough hay to last the remainder of the feeding season, or the feeders will have no problem obtaining the supplies needed. Surplus - Feeders have more than enough hay on hand to last the remainder of the feeding season, or dealers and growers will have problems disposing of all of the excess hay that they have on hand.

11. Soil Moisture Very Short - Soil moisture supplies are significantly less than what is required for normal plant development. Growth has been stopped or nearly so and plants are showing visible signs of moisture stress. Under these conditions, plants will quickly suffer irreparable damage. Short - Soil dry. Seed germination and/or normal crop growth and development would be curtailed. Adequate - Soil moist. Seed germination and/or crop growth and development would be normal or unhindered. Surplus - Soil wet. Fields may be muddy and will generally be unable to absorb additional moisture. Young developing crops may be yellowing from excess moisture.

12. Pasture Condition Very Poor - Pastures provide very little or no feed compared to what is normally expected for the current time of the year. Supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition. Poor - Pastures are only providing marginal feed compared to what is normally expected for the current time of the year. Some supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock condition. Fair - Pastures are generally providing adequate feed, but is still less than normal for the current time of the year. Good - Pastures are providing adequate feed supplies compared with what is normally expected for the current time of the year. Excellent - Pastures are supplying feed in excess of what is normally expected for the current time of the year.

13. Livestock Conditions Very Poor – Several livestock deaths occurred due to weather, feed or water shortages or disease. Poor – Livestock are stressed and health is in question due to disease, poor birthing conditions, or inadequate feed or water supplies. A few livestock deaths were reported. Fair – Livestock health is slightly below normal due to disease, poor birthing conditions, or inadequate feed or water supplies. Good – Livestock are healthy with normal expectations for weight gain. No significant diseases are present. Feed and water supplies are adequate to support normal growth. Birthing conditions are favorable for newborn animals. Excellent – Livestock are healthy with above normal expectations for weight gain. No disease problems were reported. Abundant feed and water are available. Birthing conditions are excellent for newborn animals.

14. Crop Conditions Very Poor - Extreme loss of yield potential; complete or near complete crop failure. Poor - Heavy loss of yield potential due to excessive soil moisture, drought, disease, etc. Fair - Less than normal crop conditions. Yield loss is a possibility, but is not severe. Good - Yield prospects are normal or better. Moisture levels are adequate with minimal disease and insect damage. Excellent - Yield prospects are above normal and crops are experiencing little, if any, stress.