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With little soil moisture and temperatures rising, wheat in the Panhandle near Scottsbluff began to curl and show signs of stress this week. (IANR photo by Jim Randall)

Wheat condition deteriorating in western Nebraska

The lack of rainfall this spring became quickly visible in many fields when temperatures climbed into the upper 80s and low 90s this week. Wheat planted into shallower soils or following a summer crop is starting to burn up with leaves turning brown and curling. Summer fallow wheat generally has more soil moisture in reserve and should be able to hang on for a couple weeks.

The Nebraska office of the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that from April 1 to May 11 the Panhandle received less than 50% of normal rainfall, the southwest district received just 25% of normal and the south central district received 46% of normal. Only one reporting district – the southeast – was above normal with 113% for the period. No significant rains are predicted for western Nebraska in the next five days.

Two weeks ago the crop looked good, but now it’s looking more average to below average and in 10-14 days, it could be gone in some areas. This turn is particularly troublesome, given the western wheat had emerged from winter with little winter kill and had survived a late spring frost, partly due to the lush plant canopies that had already developed. Now the crop stands at a critical point. Fields in western Nebraska are approaching the boot stage and plants will use up to 1/3 inch of water a day.

Precipitation Record, by district, for April 1 to May 15, provided by the Nebraska Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).   Reporting Districts   NW NC NE CEN EC SW SC SE Total May 8-May 14 0.15 0.02 0.07 0.05 0.28 0.04 0.10 0.67 April 1-May 14 1.48 3.46 3.68 2.07 4.21 0.85 1.75 5.22 Normal April 1-May 14 3.10 3.54 4.21 4.01 4.50 3.34 3.73 4.57 % of normal 47% 98% 87% 51% 93% 25% 46% 113%