Wheat Harvest Moves to the Panhandle, 62% Done

July 22, 2015

A hot, humid week boosted crop developed but stressed livestock, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service Crop Progress and Condition report for the week ending July 19. Wheat harvest was near completion in southern Nebraska and had moved to the Panhandle.

Temperatures averaged 2-3°F above normal across the state with widespread precipitation occurring. Some areas of central and northeast Nebraska received 2 inches or more.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5% very short, 23% short, 66% adequate, and 6% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 5% very short, 19% short, 72% adequate, and 4% surplus.

Field Crops Report

• Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 21% fair, 57% good, and 16% excellent. Corn silking was at 63%, ahead of 58% last year and the five-year average of 57%.
• Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 29% fair, 62% good, and 8% excellent. Sorghum headed was at 20%, near 21% last year, but ahead of the 9% average.
• Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 22% fair, 57% good, and 15% excellent. Soybean blooming was at 61%, behind 70% last year, but equal to the average. Seventeen percent had set pods, behind 30% last year, but near the average of 16%.
• Winter wheat condition rated 15% very poor, 20% poor, 32% fair, 31% good, and 2% excellent. Mature was at 96%, ahead of 81% last year and 83% average. Harvested was at 62%, ahead of 51% last year and the 56% average.
• Oats condition rated 2% very poor, 6% poor, 25% fair, 61% good, and 6% excellent. Oats coloring was at 95%, ahead of 88% last year. Mature was at 72%, ahead of 65% last year. Harvested was at 28%, equal to last year, but well behind the average of 52%.
• Alfalfa condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 25% fair, 58% good, and 12% excellent. Alfalfa hay second cutting was at 67%, near 68 last year, but behind the average of  72%.
• Dry edible beans condition rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 20% fair, 70% good, and 6% excellent. Blooming was at 40%, well ahead of 20% for both last year and the average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 21% fair, 60% good, and 12% excellent.