June 3, 2013

Soybean planting is 81% complete and corn is nearly done, all after a week estimated to have just 3.2 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Last week's report indicated 63% of soybeans had been planted.

For the week ending June 2, rain fell throughout the state and averaged 2-3 inches across the eastern third and 1-2 inches in the west. Several eastern areas reported rains of 5 inches or more. As a result, in eastern Nebraska drought conditions have eased, while western Nebraska remains in extreme drought. (See Nebraska Drought Monitor.) Pastures remain in poor or very poor condition across much of western Nebraska. Pastures were beginning to respond to the spring moisture but are still short in most rangeland areas.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6% very short, 17% short, 71% adequate, and 6% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 24% very short, 36% short, 39% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops

• Corn condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 25% fair, 64% good, 10% excellent. The crop was 99% planted, near 100% last year and equal to 99% average. Eighty-four percent of the crop had emerged, behind 100% last year and the average of 90%.
   
• Soybeans planting was 81% complete, behind last year’s 99% and the average of 90%. Forty-seven percent had emerged, well behind last year’s 87% and the average of 63%.
   
• Sorghum planting was 62% complete, behind 81% last year and 64% average. Emerged was 19%, behind last year’s 57% and 33% average.
   
• Wheat conditions rated 24% very poor, 29% poor, 33% fair, 13% good, and 1% excellent. Wheat jointed was 92%, behind last year’s 100% and 96% average. Wheat headed was 27%, well behind 99% last year and over two weeks behind 62% average.
  
  
• Proso millet was 8% planted, well behind last year’s 50% and 16% average.
   
• Oat conditions rated 5% very poor, 9% poor, 37% fair, 47% good, and 2% excellent. Oats emerged were 96%, behind last year’s 100% and 98% average. Oats headed was 11%, behind last year’s 58% and 23% average.
   
• Dry beans planted was 25%, behind last year’s 52% and 33% average.
   
• Alfalfa condition was 3% very poor, 15% poor, 38% fair, 41% good, and 3% excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was 9% complete, behind last year’s 8%, and the average of 41%.The first fields of alfalfa were being cut with stands short and wet conditions limiting progress.
   
• Pasture and range condition was 26% very poor, 32% poor, 28% fair, 13% good, and 1% excellent. Hay and forage supplies rated 35% very short, 40% short, 24% adequate, and 1% surplus. Stock water supplies rated 3% very short, 12% short, 82% adequate, and 3% surplus.