August 7, 2009

Cool conditions minimized crop moisture stress but slowed crop development for the week ending August 2, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Soil moisture supplies continue to be rated above average for this time of year.

Temperatures averaged 9 degrees below normal across the state. Temperatures ranged from highs in the lower 90’s to lows near 40. The South Central and Southwest Districts saw just over an inch of precipitation. 

• Corn conditions rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 14% fair, 52% good, and 27% excellent, above last year’s 75% good or excellent rating. Irrigated fields rated 82% good or excellent while dryland fields rated 76% both above year ago levels. Corn silked was 90%, near last year’s 89% but behind the 94% average. Corn in the dough stage was 20%, near last year’s 18% but four days behind the average of 31%.
• Soybean conditions rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 14% fair, 61% good, and 20% excellent, above last year’s 75% good or excellent condition. Soybeans blooming were 89%, ahead of last year’s 80% but even with the average. Soybeans setting pods was 48%, ahead of last year’s 34% but behind of the 55% average. Producers were scouting for aphids.
• Wheat harvested was nearing completion at 95%, near last year’s 97% but behind the average of 99%.
• Alfalfa conditions rated 1% very poor, 7% poor, 26% fair, 56% good, and 10% excellent, below last year’s 71% good or excellent condition. Second cutting was 93% complete, ahead of last year’s 90% but near the 95% average. Third cutting was 21% complete, ahead of last year’s 11% but behind the 24% average.
• Oats conditions rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 11% fair, 66% good, and 20% excellent, below last year’s 89% good or excellent condition. Oats harvested was 71%, behind last year’s 81% and eight days behind the average of 89%.
• Sorghum conditions rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 23% fair, 55% good, and 19% excellent, near last year’s 76% good or excellent condition. Sorghum headed was 17%, near last year’s 16 but a week behind the average of 41%.
• Dry bean conditions rated 2% very poor, 13% poor, 22% fair, 59% good, and 4% excellent, above last year’s 56% good or excellent condition. Dry beans blooming were 81%, near last year’s 83% but ahead of the average of 75%. Dry beans setting pods were 37%, ahead of last year’s 33% and the 34% average.
• Wild hay conditions rated 1% poor, 13% fair, 69% good, and 17% excellent, well above last year’s 70% good or excellent condition. Harvest was past the halfway mark in most areas of the state.
• Pasture and range conditions rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 21% fair, 57% good, and 17% excellent, above last year’s 67% good or excellent condition.