May 16, 2008

Widespread precipitation and below normal temperatures occurred across Nebraska May 4-11, limiting planting progress and slowing crop and pasture development, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office report . Storms in parts of Nebraska produced damaging wind and hail, while heavy rains caused lowland flooding in portions of the southeast. Corn planting advanced but was interrupted again this week because of wet weather. A large number of sugarbeet acres have been replanted after freezing temperatures damaged the crop.

May 11 Crop Report

Corn planting made progress and was 55% complete. This is still well behind last year's 64% and five days behind the average of 71%. Five percent of the corn had emerged, behind 23% last year and nine days behind the average of 24%.

Soybean planting was 6% complete, behind last year's 13% and the five-year average of 19%.

Wheat conditions rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 31% fair, 55% good, and 9% excellent, above last year's 61% good or excellent. Wheat jointed was 44%, behind last year's 80% and 11 days behind the average of 78%. Although some leaf burn was evident, damage from freezing temperatures was expected to be minimal.

Alfalfa conditions rated 1% poor, 22% fair, 68% good, and 9% excellent, well above last year's 47% good or excellent .

Oats planting was 94% complete, near the 95% of last year and behind the average of 98%. About 66% of the oats had emerged, well behind last year's 79% and the five-year average of 86%.

Sorghum planting was just underway and was 1% complete, eight days behind last year and the average of 7%.

Pasture and range conditions rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 27% fair, 63% good, and 4% excellent, below last year. The rain provided additional moisture for pastures, but the cool temperatures continued to slow development. Many producers have delayed moving cattle to pastures in order to allow for more growth.