University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

May 9, 2008

Field Updates

Extension Reports on Western Nebraska Wheat
Nebraska drought map
Drought Conditions in the Panhandle

The need for precipitation in western Nebraska continues, although the area of severe to extreme drought has diminished slightly in recent weeks. (Nebraska map links to larger U.S. Drought Monitor Map.)
Drew Lyon, Extension Dryland Cropping Systems Specialist, Panhandle REC, Scottsbluff: Wheat suffered some significant leaf burn from last week's cold and wind. Some of our wheat was beginning to joint, but I don't think the cold caused significant injury to it. What we need now is some rain and moderate temperatures. We had a little rain Wednesday night, generally between 0.25 and 0.50 inch, but we need more. Most of the wheat, other than that seeded late last fall, is or soon will be jointed, so we will want to avoid temperatures below 28°F from here on out.

Also see:
Wheat Disease Update
Douglas Anderson, Extension Educator in Keith, Arthur, and Perkins counties: Wheat condition is improving with moisture. It comes in the white variety, but its moisture none the less. I haven't seen any sign of frost damage at this point. The snow kept the ground soil temperature from warming up very quickly. Field activities include disking and stalk-chopping with planting expected to start soon.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office

May 5, 2008 Report

Corn planting made progress and was 31% complete. This is still behind last year’s 33% and four days behind the average of 47%. With below normal temperatures corn germination has been slow with less than 1% emerged, well behind last year’s 6% and the average of 8%. Planting was most advanced in south central counties.

Soybean planting was beginning and was 3% complete, ahead of last year’s 1% but behind the average of 6%.

Wheat conditions rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 29% fair, 58% good, and 8% excellent, above last year’s 61% good or excellent condition. Wheat jointed was 25%, well behind the 59% of last year and 11 days behind the average of 60%.

Alfalfa conditions rated 6% poor, 28% fair, 60% good, and 6% excellent, well above last year’s 47% good or excellent condition.

Oats planted was 87% complete, near the 88% of last year and 8 days behind the average of 94%. Oats emerged was 39%, well behind last year’s 59% and a week and a half behind the five-year average of 72%.

Pasture and range conditions rated 1% very poor, 7% poor, 29% fair, 58% good, and 5% excellent, below last year. Spring calving was 96% complete. Calf losses rated 8% below average, 91% average, and 1% above average.

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Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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