May 7, 2012

Nebraska corn planting was nearly three-fourths complete with 25% of the crop having emerged, according to the May 7 Nebraska Weather and Crops report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.  Temperatures averaged 9 degrees above normal across the state, ranging from lows in the mid 30s to highs in the mid 90s. The east central and southeast districts averaged over 1 inch of precipitation with other districts reporting about 1/2 inch.

• Corn planting advanced to 74% complete, well ahead of last year’s 45% and one week ahead of the 50% average. With about 25% of the corn emerged, that was well ahead of 3% last year and eight days ahead of the 7% average.
   
• Soybean planting was 29% complete, ahead of 11% last year and the 10% average. Only about 3% of the soybeans had emerged.
   
• Sorghum planting was 7% complete compared to 5% last year and the 3% average.
   
• Wheat jointed was 87%, well ahead of last year’s 40% and almost three weeks ahead of the 45% average. Wheat headed was 25%. Disease continues to be a concern. Wheat conditions rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 28% fair, 55% good, and 11% excellent, above last year’s 46% good to excellent and the 63% average.
   
• Oat planting was at 96%, ahead of last year’s 91% and the 92% average. Oats emerged were at 80%, well ahead of 57% last year and the 65% average. Oat condition rated 1% poor, 18% fair, 74% good, and 7% excellent.
   
• The first cutting of alfalfa was 20% complete. Concerns were expressed over insect activity. Alfalfa rated 5% poor, 24% fair, 54% good, and 17% excellent, below last year’s 76% good to excellent and near the 70% average.
   
• Wild hay conditions rated 2% poor, 29% fair, 65% good, and 4% excellent.

National Planting Progress

In the 18 states planting 92% of the nation's corn, 71% of the nation's corn had been planted. This compares to 32% last year and the five-year average of 47%. Thirty-two percent of the nation's corn had emerged, compared to 6% last year and 13% for the five-year average.

In the 18 states planting 95% of the 2011 soybean acreage, 24% had been planted, which compares to 6% at this time last year and the five-year average of 11%. Seven percent of the crop emerged.

In the 11 states planting 98% of the nation's sorghum crop,  29% was planted, which is just ahead of the one-year and five-year average of 25%.

In the 18 states planting 88% of the the winter wheat, 63% had headed by Monday, which compares to 39% last year and 34% for the five-year average.

Nebraska Field Office
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service