For the week ending May 11, most of Nebraska received precipitation, with amounts varying widely across the state, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Localized areas of heavy rain and thunderstorms in eastern Nebraska caused some damage to irrigation equipment and buildings late in the week. Areas of southwest Nebraska remained in an extreme drought in spite of the rain. Average temperatures ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the Panhandle to 6 degrees above normal in southeast Nebraska.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 13% very short, 25% short, 58% adequate, and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 17% very short, 35% short, 48% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report

• Winter wheat condition rated 4% very poor, 17% poor, 32% fair, 43% good, and 4% excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 56%, ahead of 30% last year but behind the five-year average of 61%.
• Oats condition rated 1% very poor, 17% poor, 41% fair, 40% good, and 1% excellent. Oats planted was 96%, ahead of 93% last year but near 97% average. Oats emerged was 83%, well ahead of 56% last year, but near 79% average.
• Corn planted was 77%, well ahead of 39% last year but near the average of 71%. Corn emerged was 18%, ahead of 2% last year but behind the average of 21%.
• Soybeans planted was 36%, well ahead of 6% last year and 30% average.
• Sorghum planted was at 10%, ahead of 3% last year but near 11% average.
• Pasture and range condition rated 11% very poor, 14% poor, 42% fair, 32% good, and 1% excellent.

May 12, 2014