The reports from educators and specialists from across the state this week shared two things in common -- continued very dry soil conditions and a need for a good, long rain. In some areas, pivots have been started to keep the crop going until rains arrive. Not surprisingly the need for rain is most serious in the Panhandle and southwest Nebraska, where drought continues to plague crop production. While northeast Nebraska started the season with more soil moisture, conditions there are turning dry too, especially in sandy fields. Following are individual reports from several Extension staff:
Gary Lesoing, Extension Educator in Nemaha County, with a wheat update for southeast Nebraska: In general wheat in Otoe, Nemaha and Richardson counties looks pretty good, although some fields have been infected with wheat streak mosaic. Some of these fields have actually been grazed, rather than harvested for grain. Depending on the level of infection, yields on some of the other fields will be reduced significantly (50-75%). Recent rains in the area should help improve yields as the crop is in the grain fill period. Earlier on a few producers sprayed with fungicides. With the high wheat prices and potentially good yields this may be one of the years when it pays to treat wheat with a fungicide. A few fields are showing some rust, but it should have minimal impact on yields unless the variety is very susceptible. Wheat is ripening ahead of schedule. Depending on the weather during the next two weeks, harvest may be 10 -14 days ahead of normal.
Ralph Kulm, Extension Educator in Holt and Boyd counties: Things here are very dry. In a corn field with patches of bindweed the soil was so dry the corn was falling over. Holt County received about one-half inch of rain in May. Some areas in eastern Holt County received an inch or more over the weekend and several quarters received bad hail. Soils in pastures and alfalfa fields are powder dry to a 2-foot depth, which means little growth until the area receives about 2 inches of rain. First crop alfalfa varied from very poor to good yields, often depending on the age of the stand. Alfalfa fields are not re-growing well after the first cutting and alfalfa weevils are chewing the little that does come up. Given the soil moisture conditions, many may not spray. A lot of dryland winter wheat has been cut for hay. Irrigated crops look good but inputs will be high with pumping having started so early.
Pasture conditions are a big concern. The soil is powder dry to a depth of 2 feet. We are starting to see good numbers of cows being moved to livestock barns because pastures can’t sustain them. Irrigated crops look good but producers are worried because they’ve pumped more water than normal for this time of year. Wheat is ahead of normal because of hot, dry weather, but florets aren't completely filling. Wheat on heavier ground still looks good. In fields that were worked this spring, small grains looks poor. What we need is a couple inches of slow rain.
Bob Klein, Extension Crops Specialist at the West Central REC, North Platte: Dry is the word that describes the winter wheat condition in most of southwest Nebraska. Since January 1 most of the area is at 20% of normal precipitation. The amount of snow received during late March varied across the area. Some limited areas received up to 2 inches of rain early this week. Freeze damage is evident in some wheat fields. Date of planting, maturity of the winter wheat variety, stand, density of crop canopy, and soil water levels are all important factors affecting the degree of freeze injury.
Del Hemsath, Extension Educator in Dakota, Dixon and Thurston counties: We haven’t had a significant rain for a couple of weeks so with the recent windy conditions, the topsoil is drying out quickly. Crops on sandy soils are showing the effects of hot dry conditions. Reduced tillage has shown benefits as those fields are doing better despite the lack of rain. Most corn is in the 4- to 6- leaf stage and some fields are approaching 18-24 inches and are closing rows. Soybeans are in the 2- to 3-trifoliate stage for the timely planted fields, but late planted fields are just beginning to emerge. Weed control is needed, but windy conditions have limited application opportunities. Pastures are showing the lack of rain and are being grazed down quickly. There have been several new plantings of alfalfa in the area as producers have rotated fields out of grain crops.
Dave Stenberg, Extension Educator in Dawson County: We received some scattered rains in the last two weeks, ranging from 0.25 to one inch. Some center pivots were upset from 60-70 mph winds earlier this week. Soybean stands and emergence are somewhat variable due to moisture shortfalls. Corn plants are starting to grow after some rain. First cutting of alfalfa harvest is nearing completion and the second cutting will be small unless the rains pick up. Many cow calf producers are planning to wean early and cull deeply and early. Some cattle are moving out of pastures or being fed supplemental feeds. Send rain.
Gary Lesoing, Extension Educator in Nemaha County: In the last two weeks we’ve received some good rains and several small rains. As of now the crops look good, but we will need timely rains throughout the summer. The continuous no-till fields appear to be in better shape then other fields. Corn is all different sizes and growth stages. The average is probably V5. Soybeans are up and growing and the average is probably V2. Weeds are growing rapidly and farmers are spraying. Some soybean fields are very wooly. Wheat generally looks good. It is ripening fast and is about two weeks ahead of normal. There is some rust, but it’s not a major issue. Alfalfa seems to be regrowing following the first cutting, but will need more rain to produce a good second crop. Pastures are hanging on, but the soil profile is very dry.
Aaron Nygren, Extension Educator in Colfax County: Sandy spots are starting to show some water stress. Corn size is all over the place. Soybean fields, especially no-till fields, need herbicide application. Lots of hilling has been going on in corn and furrow irrigation will begin soon.
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