May 9, 2011

For the week ending May 8, favorable conditions allowed producers to make significant progress planting spring crops, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Substantial corn planting occurred during the week with over 50% planted and progress now near the fivie-year average. Many producers in the east and south have now turned their attention to planting soybeans. Strong winds dried soils and made herbicide application difficult. Freezing temperatures in western counties resulted in the need to replant some sugarbeet acres.

Highs for the week were on Sunday and reached the low 90s. Freezing temperatures were reported early in the week with lows in the mid 20s.

Planting Progress

• Corn planting advanced to 57% complete, well behind last year’s 74% but only two days behind 62% average. Corn emerged was 4% compared to 14% last year and 12% average.
   
• Soybean planting was 15% complete, behind 23% last year but near 14% average.
   
• Sorghum planting was underway at 7%, equal to last year and ahead of 4% average.
   
• Wheat conditions rated 2% very poor, 13% poor, 39% fair, 41% good, and 5% excellent, below last year’s 71% good to excellent and 63% average. Wheat jointed was 45%, behind last year’s 51% and 56% average.
   
• Oats planted were at 95%, behind last year’s 98% and equal to average. Oats emerged was at 62%, behind 80% last year and 75% average.
   
• Alfalfa rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 23% fair, 69% good, and 6% excellent, below last year’s 89% good to excellent.
   
• Pasture and range conditions rated 0% very poor, 6 poor, 30 fair, 59 good, and 5 excellent, well below last year’s 87 good to excellent but near 68 average.