October 12, 2009

For the week ending October 11, temperatures averaged 16 degrees below normal across the state, ranging from low 70’s for highs to near single digits for lows. Most of the state received over a half inch of moisture. Record lows and record cold highs were reported.

Field Crops Report

Corn conditions rated 3% very poor, 5% poor, 12% fair, 54% good, and 2% excellent, above last year’s 76% good or excellent rating. Irrigated fields rated 82% good or excellent while dryland fields rated 76%, both above year ago levels. Seventy-six percent of the corn was mature, behind last year’s 77% and nine days behind the 89% average. Ten percent of the corn had been harvested, behind last year’s 13% and two weeks behind the 24% average.

Soybean conditions rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 13% fair, 57% good, and 23% excellent, above last year’s 70% good or excellent condition. Soybeans dropping leaves were 95%, near last year’s 96% but behind the average of 98%. Soybeans harvested were 45%, behind last year’s 58% and four days behind the 61% average.

Alfalfa fourth cutting was 87% complete, ahead of last year’s 83 and the 84 average.

Sorghum conditions rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 21% fair, 54% good, and 23% excellent, near last year’s 76% good or excellent condition. Sixty-two percent of the sorghum was mature, ahead of last year’s 56% but behind the 82% average. Sorghum harvested was 6%, even with last year but 10 days behind the 18% average.

Dry bean harvest was nearing completion at 91%, near last year’s 92% but ahead of the 81% average.

Winter wheat seeded was 92%, near last year’s 91% and 93% average. Winter wheat emergence was at 67%, behind last year’s 74% and the 73% average.

Proso millet harvest was 62%, well behind last year’s 84% and the 80% average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 2% very poor, 6% poor, 22% fair, 54% good, and 16% excellent, above last year’s 57% good or excellent condition.

Nebraska Field Office
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service