Despite widespread rains for much of Nebraska in September, 27% of the state is still reporting short to very short topsoil moisture and 35% is reporting short to very short subsoil moisture, according to the Sept. 7 USDA NASS Crop Progress and Condition report. Overall, topsoil moisture supplies rated 4% very short, 23% short, 68% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 8% very short, 27% short, 63% adequate, and 2% surplus.

Field Crop Reports

Corn conditions rated 3% very poor, 6% poor, 19% fair, 50% good, and 22% excellent. Seventy-five percent of the state's corn crop is at dent stage, according to the Sept. 7 Crop Progress and Condition report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. This is ahead of last year's 69% dent by this time, but slightly behind the five-year average of 80%. Corn dough was at 98%, near last year's 97% and the five-year average. 

Soybean condition rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 21% fair, 53% good, and 19% excellent. Approximately 10% of the state's crop was dropping leaves, near last year's 14% and equal to the average.

Wheat planting was 11% complete, ahead of 5% last year, but equal to the five-year average.

Sorghum conditions rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 33% fair, 39% good, and 21% excellent. Sorghum coloring was at 83%, well ahead of 61% last year and the average of 59%. Three percent of the crop was mature, ahead of 0 last year, but near the five-year average of 2%.

Dry bean condition rated 2% very poor, 1% poor, 15% fair, 62% good, and 20% excellent. Dry beans setting pods was at 94%. Dry beans dropping leaves was 69%, behind 74% last year, but well ahead of the average of 44%. Approximately 4% of the crop had been harvested, compared to 15% at this time last year and the five-year average of 8%.

Alfalfa hay conditions rated 2% very poor, 6% poor, 29% fair, 52% good, and 11% excellent. Alfalfa hay third cutting was 95% complete, near 94% last year and 92% average. Alfalfa hay fourth cutting was 34% complete, ahead of 12% last year, but near the average of 30%.

Proso millet harvested was at 3%, well behind 42% last year and the average of 18%.

Pasture and range conditions rated 6% very poor, 8% poor, 33% fair, 45% good, and 8% excellent.