May 25, 2007

Del Hemsath, Extension Educator in Dakota, Dixon and Thurston counties: Windy conditions have dried the soil surface in all areas, and there has not been any significant moisture for the past week. Corn planting has been completed and emerged corn is up to the 3+ leaf stage. Soybean planting should be completed by this weekend. A few fields of soybeans are emerging. First cutting of alfalfa is underway, before the actual bloom stage has been reached. Most of that alfalfa is probably destined for the dairy industry. Pastures are growing rapidly, along with weeds. Leafy spurge is in its yellow color and is coloring the hills.

Some pivots are running as the windy conditions continue to dry out the soil surface. Early weed control is taking place on planted fields. There has been a lot of tillage on cornstalk fields this year which is difficult to understand with the pending shortage of moisture.

Ralph Kulm, Extension Educator in Holt and Boyd counties: Generally dry weather for the past 10 days has allowed producers to finish nearly all planting except for summer annuals. A lot of center pivots have been running to activate chemicals and aid emergence. I have received a few reports of problems with cutworms where corn went in to alfalfa but otherwise spring crops are looking good. Nearly all of the winter wheat in Holt and Boyd counties was sprayed for rust during the past week and from what I saw it was justifiable. I saw some big differences in the wheat variety plots near Atkinson so it will be interesting to see how the various varieties yield. Alfalfa weevils can be found in all fields but as of this past week were not numerous enough to cause concern. The amount of downy brome in alfalfa fields is creating concern. Area pastures on average look great.

Gary Lesoing, Extension Educator in Nemaha County: We received 2-4 inches of rain from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. The rain came slower than the previous big rain, so erosion was not as bad. It did slow soybean planting which had been proceeding at a good pace the past week. Corn planting is mostly done, except in areas that needed replanting and in flooded areas. Corn is growing and is looking much better (greener). Soybean planting is probably 2/3-3/4 complete and emergence is good. Some alfalfa fields have been harvested and others were sprayed last week, but I am not sure what they were sprayed for as I didn't identify large numbers of alfalfa pests. Alfalfa looked much better last week as well, with more sunshine and drying weather. Several fields of wheat were sprayed with fungicides the last couple of weeks. There will be a lot of variability in wheat yields this year, some very good and others pretty mediocre.

William Booker, Extension Educator in Box Butte County: We have had spotty moisture, but not enough. The wheat needs rain and is showing stress — dryland acres will need continued rainfall to make what appears to be an above average crop. Wheat streak mosaic and tan spot have taken an additional toll on wheat that had to survive a very tough winter (dry and windy). It was 29°F in Alliance yesterday morning with frost on windshields reported. Expect no damage except maybe on rye — wheat is just heading.

Most of the corn and sugar beets are up and looking good. Some sugarbeets have had replant (2000 acres) on beets due to cold and winds. Beet acres are down from last year but in 2006 they added more acres to meet demand. Irrigated sunflower in being planted now.