May 27, 2008

For the week ending May 25, favorable weather at the beginning of the week helped boost planting progress until heavy rains halted activities in most areas of the state, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Corn planting caught up with the average and soybean planting was getting closer to normal. Storms brought strong winds, hail and heavy rainfall to much of the state. Low land flooding made some county roads impassable. The standing water in fields created concerns of damage to the newly planted crops and the possibility that some may need to be replanted. Time will be needed for soils to dry before planting can resume.

Weather Summary: Precipitation, wind and below normal temperatures occurred again this week for much of the state. Temperatures averaged nearly two degrees below normal across the state and ranged from highs around 90 in the Southeast and East Central districts to lows in the upper 30s in the Panhandle.

Corn planted increased rapidly with the favorable weather at the beginning of the week and caught up with last year and the average of 96% complete. Corn emerged was 59%, behind the 75% of last year andfive days behind the 76% average.

Soybean planting also increased significantly and was 62% complete, but still behind last year's 69% and the five-year average of 70%. Soybeans emerged was 11%, behindlast year's 32% and a week behind the average of 31%.

Wheat conditions rated 6% poor, 33% fair, 51% good, and 10% excellent, well above the average of 46% good or excellent condition. Rain across much of the Panhandle provided short-term relief for developing wheat but more precipitation is needed in the west where subsoil moisture supplies are short. Wheat jointed was 94%, behind last year's 99% and the 98% average. Wheat headed was 11% complete, far behind last year's 61% and 12 days behind the 52% average.

Alfalfa conditions rated 3% poor, 21% fair, 63% good, and13% excellent, and are well above last year's 56% good orexcellent condition. First cutting was 6% complete,behind last year's 18% and the average of 22%.

Oat conditions rated 1% poor, 16% fair, 78% good, and 5%excellent, well above last year's 70% good or excellentcondition. Oats emerged was 95%, behind last year andthe average of 99%.

Sorghum planted was 34% complete, behind last year's 54%, and four days behind the 45% average. Sorghum emergedwas 2%, behind last years 19% and eight daysbehind the average of 13%.

Nebraska Field Office
National Agricultural Statistics Service