July 24, 2009

Growing conditions were excellent during the week prior to July 20 as corn entered the critical pollination stage and soybeans began blooming. Field activities included irrigation, mowing ditches, and scouting fields. Temperatures averaged 7 degrees below normal and ranged from highs in the mid 90s to lows in the 40s. Record lows were reported in numerous areas. All districts averaged a half inch of rain or more, except for the Panhandle which was mostly dry.

Crop conditions reported from across the state, as of July 20: 

• Corn conditions rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 14% fair, 56% good, and 26% excellent, above last year’s 75% good or excellent rating. Irrigated fields rated 84% good or excellent and dryland fields rated 82%, both above year ago levels. Corn silked was 53%, ahead of last year’s 41% but behind the average of 60%. Corn in the dough stage was 3%, ahead of last year but near the 4% average. Fungicides were being applied to control foliar diseases.
• Soybean conditions rated 2% poor, 14% fair, 61% good, and 23% excellent, above last year’s 75% good or excellent condition. Soybeans blooming were 62%, well ahead of last year’s 36% but near the 63% average. Soybeans setting pods was 11%, well ahead of last year’s 3% but behind the average of 17%.
• Wheat conditions rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 19% fair, 52% good, and 22% excellent, above year ago levels. Wheat ripe was 92%, ahead of last year’s 85% but near the average of 94%. Wheat harvested was 56%, even with last year’s 56% but six days behind the average of 76%.
• Alfalfa conditions rated 2% very poor, 6% poor, 25% fair, 55% good, and 12% excellent, below last year’s 77% good or excellent condition. Second cutting was 65% complete, ahead of last year’s 57% but behind the average of 76%.
• Oat conditions rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 8% fair, 67% good, and 23% excellent, even with last year’s 90% good or excellent condition. Oats harvested was 31%, ahead of last year’s 22%, but five days behind the average of 48%.
• Sorghum conditions rated 1% poor, 22% fair, 63% good, and 14% excellent, above last year’s 72% good or excellent condition. Sorghum was 1% headed, even with last year but behind the 4% average.
• Dry bean conditions rated 7% poor, 17% fair, 67% good, and 9% excellent, above last year’s 64% good or excellent condition. Dry beans blooming were 23%, near last year’s 21% but behind the average of 26%. Dry beans setting pods were 8%, near last year’s 6% and ahead of the 4% average.
• Wild hay conditions rated 1% very poor, 1% poor, 14% fair, 68% good, and 16% excellent, near last year’s 83% good or excellent condition.
• Pasture and range conditions rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 18% fair, 60% good, and 18% excellent, above last year’s 74% good or excellent condition.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office