May 30, 2016

For the week ending May 29, numerous rain events limited planting activities and made hay harvest difficult, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Accumulations of an inch were common, with rainfall totals of three inches or more recorded across the southeast. Temperatures averaged two to four degrees above normal in the east, but near normal in the west. Soil crusting was reported with some producers running pivots to help crops emerge. There were 3.1 days suitable for fieldwork.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 0% very short, 2% short, 78% adequate, and 20% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 0% very short, 2% short, 84% adequate, and 14% surplus.

Field Crop Progress & Condition

• Corn condition rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 26% fair, 62% good, and 10% excellent. Corn planted was at 96%, near 93% last year, and the five-year average of 97%. Emerged corn was at 78%, near 80% last year and the five-year average of 82%.
• Sorghum planted was 55%, near 53% last year and the average of 59%. Emerged was at 20%, behind 25% last year, but near the average of 23%.
• Soybeans planted was 73%, near 70% last year, but behind the average of 82%. Emerged was at 36%, equal to last year, but behind the average of 49%.
• Winter wheat condition rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 29% fair, 54% good, and 11% excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 98%, near 95% last year, but ahead of the average of 92%. Headed was at 72%, ahead of 60% last year, but well ahead of the average of 50%. Coloring was 1%.
• Oats condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 21% fair, 72% good, and 6% excellent. Oats emerged was 95%, near 99% last year and the average of 96%. Jointed was 56%, near 59% last year. Twenty-two percent had headed, near last year's 18% and the average of 19%.
• Alfalfa condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 11% fair, 72% good, and 16% excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was at 31%, ahead of 19% last year, but near the average of 27%. Dry edible beans planting was 11% complete, ahead of 5% last year, but behind the average of 17%.

May 27, 2016

Brandy VanDeWalle, Extension Educator in Fillmore County: On Thursday, May 26, parts of Fillmore County received nearly 2 inches of rain within a couple of hours, with overnight totals over 3 inches in some areas. Low-lying portions of fields and ditches flooded in some areas of the county.  For information on crop survival in flooded conditions, see this week's Views from VanDeWalle.

Gary Lesoing, Extension Educator in Nemaha County: There was significant progress in soybean planting and herbicide application to corn and soybean acres last week. Soybean planting is probably 75% complete. Corn has greened up and is growing with sunshine and warmer weather. Flooding along the Little Nemaha River has some bottom fields of corn in standing water. 

Jenny Rees, Extension Educator in York County: This barley yellow dwarf was found in wheat this week. See further crop updates in Rees' blog, JenREESources. (Photo by Jenny Rees)

May 26, 2016

Sarah Schlund, Extension Educator reporting for Dawson, Buffalo, and Hall Counties: Some of the corn is still emerging throughout the three counties and other fields are growing quickly with the warm weather and rain we had lately. Soybeans are still being planted and the fields that are starting to emerge look good. Corn seedling diseases have been an issue for some farmers along the river where there is standing water. Rains have slowed down producers a bit this week but they are hoping to finish planting soybeans soon.

May 23, 2016

USDA NASS Crop Progress & Condition

For the week ending May 22, dry conditions allowed producers to get back into fields and resume spring planting activities, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Late in the week central and north central counties received an inch or more of rain. Temperatures averaged two to six degrees below normal.

Corn planting was end, soybean planting was continuing, and growers started taking the first cutting of alfalfa, with insect pressure noted in some fields. Wheat diseases were a concern in untreated fields. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 3% short, 81% adequate, and 16% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 3% short, 85% adequate, and 12% surplus.

Crop Condition

• Corn planted was at 90%, equal to last year, and near the five-year average of 93%. Emerged was at 51%, behind 68% last year and the five-year average of 62%.
• Sorghum planted was at 30 percent, behind 47 last year and 40 average.
• Soybeans planted was at 54%, equal to last year, but behind the five-year average of 67%. Emerged was at 13%, near 17% last year, but behind the average of 25% average.
• Winter wheat condition rated 5% poor, 29% fair, 55% good, and 11% excellent. Winter wheat jointed was at 94%, equal to last year, but ahead of the five-year average of 83%. Headed was at 43%, ahead of 35% last year and the five-year average of 31%.
• Oats condition rated 1% poor, 21% fair, 73% good, and 5% excellent. Oats planted was at 96%, near 100% last year and the five-year average of 99%. Emerged was at 90%, behind 97% last year, but near 92% average. Jointed was at 46%, near 49% last year. Headed was at 7%, ahead of 1% last year, but near 4% average.
• Alfalfa condition rated 1% poor, 9% fair, 75% good, and 15% excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was at 13% percent, ahead of 8% last year, but near the average of 17%.
• Dry edible beans planted was at 2%, equal to last year, but behind the average of 7%.

Extension Crop Report

May 19, 2016

Paul Hay, Extension Educator in Gage County: We’re seeing some frost damage to corn tip leaves and minor wireworm damage in corn. Some soybean stands are uneven, slow growing, and causing concern for growers. Alfalfa growers should be scouting field, particularly spring-seeded fields for potential leafhopper damage.

May 17, 2016

Nathan Mueller, Extension Educator in Dodge and Washington Counties: During the May 17 crop tour, I covered 175 miles and the nine major soil regions of Dodge and Washington counties. Past planting dates this spring for corn have been April 13-17, April 24, May 5-8, and May 14-15. Corn planted prior to April 18 is at the V2 to V3 growth stage. This early planted corn had some issues with chilling injury, crusting, ponding, and seedling damping off (Figure 1) that negatively impacted plant populations. Quite a few acres of corn and some soybeans were planted May 5-8 and are now emerging.

Some light cutworm activity and early season phosphorus deficiency in corn was observed. As for soybeans, only a few fields can be rowed from the road. I did see bean leaf beetles in uncut alfalfa fields that will be moving to emerging soybean fields. Alfalfa is just starting to bloom and first cutting is underway. Most of the corn acres (80%) have been planted, but a significant portion of the soybean crop needs to be planted. Good soybean planting progress has been made over the past few days and good progress will be made this weekend. To read the full crop tour report with 25 pictures, visit Crop Tech Cafe.

Michael Rethwisch, Extension Educator in Butler County: Last Tuesday (May 10) we got over 2 inches of rain in the western portion of the county and over 4 inches in the eastern half. Planting resumed after a couple days in the western half. Pastures are looking very good. There is some yellow corn.

John Wilson, Extension Educator in Burt County: About 75-80% of the corn is in and while it’s a little behind normal, it’s catching up. Of the early planted corn, what’s not drowned is looking pretty good. From April 17 to May 16 we got over 12 inches of rain. There may be as much as 10% replant in the Missouri River bottom and as much as a third of that may not even be replanted this season because it’s too wet. We have springs showing up in areas where they’re rarely seen.

Tyler Williams, Extension Educator in Lancaster County: A lot of planting finished up last week before the rains hit. We don’t have a lot of flooded soils, but do have some yellow corn. Forecast is for a big storm system early next week (May 23-25) with possible severe weather in a slow moving storm with locally heavy rain. Toward the end of the month we should see some big systems every five to seven days.

Gary Lesoing, Extension Educator in Nemaha County: We missed a lot of last week’s storm although some farms had structural damage. Most corn planting is done except in a few wet areas and some have started planting soybeans. The corn looks good, although there’s a lot of yellow corn. This year I’ve heard more complaints about pesticide drift, particularly to trees and vegetables, than I have in all my other years combined.  Wheat doesn’t look too bad and some soybeans are starting to peak through.

Paul Jasa, Extension Engineer: Corn and soybeans are up and milo is spiking through at the Rogers Memorial Farm near Lincoln. Some corn in the area came up yellow but appears to be growing out of it. About 25% of the beans in the area have been planted.

Troy Ingram, Extension Educator reporting for Valley, Greeley, Sherman and Howard Counties: We got 0.5 inches of precipitation yesterday in Ord, making it 10.5 inches for the month. We still have a lot of corn and beans to be planted. Very little corn is up, and what is is fairly yellow. Pasture looks good and rye cover crop has headed out and is going to seed.

Ron Seymour, Extension Educator in Adams County: We had a nice planting window last week and 90% of the corn is in and some have turned to planting soybeans. Corn planted in early April is at the 2-leaf stage and looking good. We got about 0.20 inch of rain last night. Wheat is at the boot stage, looks good, and has some virus issues, although not severe. Pastures look good. We could use a little more dry weather to finish up the soybeans.

Roger Elmore, Extension Cropping Systems Specialist, Lincoln: With these cool, wet conditions, growers should be on the lookout for seedling death. The comments about yellow corn aren’t surprising given the rains and cool conditions leading to an extended ugly duckling period for this year’s corn until good sunlight prevails and roots grow down to nitrogen.This is related to the period when seedlings transition from getting their nutrients from the seed to getting them from the nodal root. In cool, wet conditions this transition can slow and plants may begin to appear yellow if they can’t immediately reach the nutrients they need in the root zone.

Todd Whitney, Extension Educator in Phelps County: Conditions here have been good. Corn is pretty well planted and more than 50% of soybeans are in. Wheat has headed out and is looking good. With a few days of sun, any yellow corn should grow out of it.

Julie Peterson, Extension Entomologist at the West Central REC, North Platte: We’ve had wet conditions that slowed corn planting, but nothing like east of here. Wheat just started to shoot its flag leaf and should be heading around Memorial Day. We’re looking for fields to dry up some so planting can continue. A question came up relative to the potential for pillbug damage in irrigated no-till soybean following corn. As historical reports indicate spraying wasn’t too effective, light tillage may be needed. (2010 CW at https://cropwatch.unl.edu/unl-cropwatch-may-21-2010-pillbugs-damage-seedling-corn-jefferson-county)

Gary Stone, Extension Educator in Scotts Bluff County: We’ve had freeze warnings the last two nights here. Sugarbeets are in and dry bean planting should start in the next 10-14 days. Two of the Wyoming reservoirs on the North Platte are full and the rest are near full (http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/hydromet_teacup.pl). Lake McConaughy is at 90%. There is some flooding between the Wyoming border and Lewellen and there will be more.  See the North Platte River Basin Water Update in CropWatch (https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2016/north-platte-river-basin-water-update-0).

Martha Shulski, Nebraska State Climatologist: A review of the 6-10 day and 8-14 day outlooks indicate a pretty decent chance for above normal temperatures for all of Nebraska, along with above normal precipitation. Further out, it looks like the transition from El Nino to La Nina will be mid to late summer with an increased chance of dryness in late summer. Above normal temperatures are likely through fall.

Sarah Schlund, Extension Educator reporting for Dawson, Buffalo, and Hall Counties: Some producers are still planting corn in the area while others have started to put soybeans in the ground. Corn emergence was slow initially, but warmer temperatures last week allowed for emergence throughout the county. Rainy conditions to start this week will slow down some producers, especially with cooler temperatures projected for the week. I would estimate that more than half of the corn in the area has been planted while soybean planting has just started.

Strahinja Stepanovic, Extension Educator in Southwest Nebraska: In the last two weeks we received about 1 inch of precipitation, average air temperatures ranged from 45°F to 65°F generating 123GDD (growing degree days), and soil temperatures gradually increased from 50°F to 58-62°F. Wheat is generally in good condition and pushing flag leaf. There have been isolated reports of stripe rust. Wheat is showing signs of nitrogen deficiency, particularly in low areas of the fields with standing water and poor drainage conditions.  See the author’s blog, Ag with Strahinja, for more details and information on field pea research with area farmers.

USDA NASS Crop Report

May 16, 2016

Rains in eastern Nebraska and hail in portions of the state slowed planting in some areas for the week ending May 15, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (see table). Winter wheat condition rated 3% poor, 30% fair, 55% good, and 12% excellent. Winter wheat jointed was at 91%, near 90% last year, but ahead of the five-year average of 74%. Headed was at 34%, ahead of 19% last year and the five-year average of 17%.

Sarah Schlund, Extension Educator reporting for Dawson, Buffalo, and Hall Counties: Some producers are still planting corn in the area while others have started to put soybeans in the ground. Corn emergence was slow initially, but warmer temperatures last week allowed for emergence throughout the county. Rainy conditions to start this week will slow down some producers, especially with cooler temperatures projected for the week. I would estimate that more than half of the corn in the area has been planted while soybean planting has just started.

May 13, 2016

Michael Rethwisch, Extension Educator: Cutworm feeding on emerged corn was reported from Butler County during the past 10 days. These cutworms were thought associated with variegated cutworm flights noted in mid-April. Based on data from insect pheromone traps, black cutworm and variegated cutworm moth numbers at or beyond sensitive points were noted during the last seven days from Saline and Butler Counties. Crops in these areas need to be scouted closely over the next few weeks for cutworm caterpillar activity.

Randy Pryor, Extension Educator in Saline County: The southeast part of Saline County experienced soil erosion and crop damage during a May 9 storm. This is back-to-back years where the same area experienced heavy rainfall events and flash flooding. Unofficial reports were 3 to 5 inches of rain with hail in less than 1.5 hours. Alfalfa and wheat fields were damaged. Silty clay loam soils have low infiltration water rates. Research has shown that continuous no-tilled fields have less soil erosion and/or where fields have cover crops planted that protect and hold soil. On highly erodible land and near ephemeral areas of fields, tilled fields can experience large top soil losses during intense, early spring rainfall events. Once precious topsoil moves offsite, it will never be recovered in our lifetimes.

Common Waterhemp Reminder

May 12, 2016

Amit Jhala, Extension Weed Specialist: Common waterhemp has started emerging in south central Nebraska. Growers should take action now to control this yield threat while it's still at a manageable size. (On a May 13 Market Journal segment (above) Jhala discusses management of glyphosate-resistant common waterhemp.)

USDA NASS Wheat Harvest Estimate

May 10, 2016

Based on May 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2016 winter wheat crop is forecast at 61.3 million bushels, up 33% from last year’s crop, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Average yield is forecast at 49 bushels per acre, up 11 bushels from a year earlier. If realized this would tie 2014's record yield.

Acreage to be harvested for grain is estimated at 1.25 million acres, up 40,000 acres from a year ago. This would be 93% of the planted acres, above last year’s 81% harvested. May 1 hay stocks of 1.45 million tons are up 16% from last year.

Nationally, winter wheat production is forecast at 1.43 billion bushels, up 4% from 2015. As of May 1, the United States yield is forecast at 47.8 bushels per acre, up 5.3 bushels from last year. If realized, this will equal the record yield set in 1999. Hard Red Winter production, at 863 million bushels, is up 4% from a year ago. Soft Red Winter, at 357 million bushels, is down nearly 1% from 2015. White Winter, at 208 million bushels, is up 13% from last year. Of the White Winter production, 17.4 million bushels are Hard White and 191 million bushels are Soft White.

Extension Crop Report

May 10, 2016

Gary Stone, Extension Educator in Scottsbluff with North Platte River Basin Water Update: Lowland flooding is occurring along the North Platte River from Lewellen west into southeastern Wyoming.  The areas affected are primarily the river bottom, mostly pasture but some cropland and homes.  River flow levels are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future as the US Bureau of Reclamation is moving water down through the reservoir system to make room for the snow melt/runoff.

The rest of the Panhandle is drying out from this past weekend’s precipitation and growers should be able to get back into the fields Thursday or Friday.  Most, if not all of the sugar beets have been planted and corn planting is approximately 50% complete.  Dry bean planting will not start until the end of May. 

The forecast for the weekend calls for a chance of precipitation and lower than normal temperatures.  In some areas of southeastern Wyoming, there is a chance of moderate snow accumulations, mainly in the Laramie, Sierra Madre, and Snowy Range mountains.  Snow water equivalent (138%) and total precipitation (115%) for this time period remains well above average across the North Platte River basin in Wyoming.  

For more information on the North Platte River Surface Irrigation Projects and Power Generation, view the slideshare presentation on the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension website. Information on US Bureau of Reclamation water operations is at http://www.usbr.gov/gp/wyao/index.html  and snow water content graphs can be found at http://www.usbr.gov/gp/lakes_reservoirs/wareprts/wygraph1.html.                                                                                                       

USDA NASS Crop Progress & Condition

Monday, May 9
For the week ending May 8, growers were able to get into the field to plant, but by the end of the week many were shut out due to rains and ponding in low-lying areas, accoring to a May 9 report by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture rated 15% suplus, 81% adequate, 3% short, 1% very short. Subsoil moisture rated 8% surplus, 87% adequate, 5% short.

• Corn planting was at 53%, behind 71% last year and the five-year average of 59%. Fifteen percent had emerged, behind 24% last year, but equal to average.
• Soybeans planting was at 13%, behind 21% last year and for the five-year average.
• Sorghum planting was at 5%, behind 20% last year, but near the average of 9%.
• Winter wheat condition rated 3% poor, 31% fair, 55% good, and 11% excellent. Winter wheat jointed was at 81%, ahead of 75% last year, and well ahead of the five-year average of 54%. An estimated 10% had headed, ner 7% last yer and the average of 8%.
• Oats condition rated 1% poor, 23% fair, 71% good, and 5% excellent. Oat planting was at 89%, behind 100% last year and the average of 95%. Appoximately 79% had emerged, behind 89% last year and the five-year average of 72%.

Extension Crop Reports Wednesday, May 4

Sarah Schlund, Extension Educator in Dawson County: Quite a bit of corn has been planted in the area. With all of the rain over the past couple of weeks and more anticipated for this weekend, producers have not been able to get into the field. Very minimal corn has emerged. The wheat crop looks really healthy and is growing well with all of the rain we’ve had. Producers are hoping to get back into the field at the end of this week to continue planting and get their spraying done.

Nathan Mueller, Extension Educator in Dodge County: In Dodge and Washington counties, corn planting was off to a fast start during a stretch from April 10 to April 17. Many growers were able to get 10% to 70% of their corn planted, averaging close to 20-25%. Due to the windy conditions in this same time frame, spraying preplant/preemerge herbicides was limited. The area did not receive rainfall the first 17 days of April. Some growers ceased planting ahead of the predicted rains the third week of April. Depth control was becoming poor due to insufficient down pressure on row units caused by the lack of rain and hard surface soil conditions. In between rains on April 24-25, some growers and service providers did get fieldwork done in drier areas including spraying and some planting. For a more detailed crop report, see the Crop Tech Cafe blog.

Tuesday, May 3

Charles Shapiro, Extension Soil Fertility Specialist: Fields in northeast Nebraska are wet from weekend rains. At UNL's Haskell Ag Lab this week we’re laying out plots and spraying fertilizer. Soil temps are still hovering in the 50s; this morning the temperature was at 52°F. We aren't seeing any corn up yet in this area. 

Wayne Ohnesorg, Extension Educator in Madison, Wayne, Pierce, and Stanton Counties: Due to the moisture, farmers are fairly idle, waiting to plant.

Michael Rethwisch, Extension Educator in Butler County: We received 3-4 inches of rain since last Tuesday. Alfalfa and brome hay, as well as weeds, are growing well. Continuing to collect data from pheromone traps and sharing it in CropWatch. Variegated cutworm have had some hot spots in Phelps and Merrick counties; black cutworm numbers have been hit and miss. Greenbugs have been reported in wheat in Pawnee County.

Troy Ingram, Extension Educator in Valley, Greeley, Sherman, and Howard Counties: We’ve received a little over 8 inches of precipitation since April 17 so there’s not much field activity at this time.

Gary Lesoing, Extension Educator in Nemaha County:  Things are pretty wet here too as we’ve gotten 5 inches of precipitation since April 18. A lot of corn that was planted hasn’t been sprayed due to wet field conditions. It’s really a Catch 22 as growers want the windy days to help dry out the soil, but can’t spray because of the windy days. Approximately 75%-80% of the corn is in and most is up. Alfalfa, wheat, and pastures look good with all the rain.

Tyler Williams, Extension Educator in Lancaster County: We got rain, but not the amounts they had in south central and northeast Nebraska. With sunshine and warmer temperatures, growers will be back in the field this week.

Todd Whitney, Extension Educator in Phelps County: We got 12 inches of rain in the last two weeks near Holdrege. Planting ranges from barely started to 8% done and 50% done for some. We’ve had trace levels of stripe and leaf rust mid canopy in wheat. Growers are waiting to apply a fungicide to protect the flag leaf, likely late this week.

Al Dutcher, Associate Nebraska State Climatologist: Expect a dry stretch the remainder of this week with a slight precipitation chance Friday afternoon in eastern Nebraska. Look for widespread rain across the Panhandle Saturday, moving eastward Sunday-Tuesday. Next week shows chances for some precipitation in central and eastern Nebraska. Planting progress will depend on where upper air patterns set up and rains beak out. For the remainder of this week expect above normal temperatures; next week temperatures will depend on the cloud cover, although it’s safe to say we appear to be moving into more of spring pattern. (Check out Al's story on El Nino and the longer term forecast in this week's CropWatch at https://cropwatch.unl.edu/2016/shift-la-nina-likely-late-summer-or-earlier.) 

Strahinja Stepanovic, Extension Educator in Perkins, Chase and Dundy Counties: The weekend of April 16-17 southwest Nebraska got 3-4 inches of rain, and last weekend they got another 1-2 inches. Some corn was planted between the rains but emergence is slow. There’s a lot of water and some ponding. Some wheat is starting to yellow, likely due to too much moisture and loss of nitrogen. Growers are waiting for the flag leaf to spray fungicides for stripe rust. Consultants from Dundee and Keith counties have reported isolated incidents of stripe rust.

Chuck Burr, Exension Water Educator, West Central REC, North Platte:  The 3-4 inches of snow we got over the weekend has melted. Northern parts of the region got 10 inches.  

John Wilson, Extension Educator in Burt County: Field work is at a standstill due to wet conditions. From April 17-May 1 we got 9.4 inches of rain. There is water standing where I’ve never seen it before and concern for those who planted corn early as well as concern for those who can’t get into their fields. With all this moisture, it’s an excellent year for morel mushrooms around here.

Paul Jasa, Extension Engineer, Lincoln: A lot of corn in southeast Nebraska is in and coming up, but some fields are looking a little ragged as timely spraying wasn’t possible. Our corn at the UNL Rogers Memorial Farm east of Lincoln in and soybean planting starts today. No-till On the Plains will host no-till meetings June 21 near Winside and June 23 near Alliance. Both will have field tours and indoor presentations. 

Amy Timmerman, Extension Educator in Holt and Boyd Counties:  We received 2-5 inches of rain over the last week. Low area flooding is occurring. Planting has slowed down but will likely resume starting today in fields that are higher and have lighter soils. Alfalfa is looking good with the first cutting just around the corner.

USDA NASS Crop Progress & Condition

Monday, May 2

For the week ending May 1, wet, cool conditions kept producers from making widespread planting progress, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Snow blanketed the southwest as well as Panhandle counties late in the week with accumulations of six inches or more recorded in portions of the Panhandle. Statewide rainfall of one to two inches was common with heavier amounts in central Nebraska. Temperatures averaged four to six degrees below normal. Producers were waiting for soils to dry before planting could resume.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 1% very short, 6% short, 70% adequate, and 23% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 1% percent very short, 6% short, 82% adequate, and 11% surplus.

• Corn planted was at 26%, behind 45% last year and the five-year average of 31%. Emerged was at 7%, near 6% last year and the average of 4% average.
• Sorghum planted was at 1%, behind 8% last year and near 3% average.
• Soybeans planted was at 2%, behind 9% last year, but near 6% average.
• Winter wheat condition rated 0% very poor, 4% poor, 35% fair, 50% good, and 11% excellent. Winter wheat jointed was at 71%, well ahead of 42% last year and the average of 32%. Headed was at 1%, near 2% last year and 3% average.
• Oats condition rated 1% poor, 33% fair, 62% good, and 4% excellent. Oats planted was 86% complete, behind 98% last year, but near the average of 88%. Emerged was at 70%, behind 80% last year, but ahead of the five-year average of 59% emerged.

Extension Crop Reports

Sarah Schlund, Extension Educator in Dawson County: While the rain was much needed in this part of the state, the amount that we have received in the past couple of weeks has definitely slowed down planting progress in Dawson, Buffalo, and Hall counties. For producers who have been able to get into the field, quite a bit of corn has been planted and farmers are starting to get their planters ready for soybeans. A few producers have been getting their fields sprayed when they are not planting to help control early emerging summer annuals. With more rain forecasted, farmers may have to wait until their fields have dried out to start planting again. The alfalfa fields have also been growing quite a bit and greening up lately with all of the rainfall in the area. (April 28)

USDA NASS Crop Progress & Condition

April 25, 2016

For the week ending April 24, temperatures averaged 2-4 degrees above normal in eastern areas, but were near normal elsewhere, according to report from USDA NASS. Rainfall was common across the eastern third of the state.

• Corn planting was 16% completed, compared to 13% last year and the five-year average of 11%. One percent of the crop had emerged.
• Sorghum planting was 1% complete, equal to last year and the five-year average.
• Oat planting was 85% complete, behind 92% last year and the five-year average of 80%. Fifty-four percent had emerged, behind last year's 63%, but ahead of the five-year average of 41%.
• Winter wheat condition rated 10% excellent, 50% good, 36% fair, and 4% poor. Fifty-six percent of the crop had jointed, well ahead of 14% last year and the19% according to the five-year average.

Extension Crop Reports from Across the State

Tuesday, April 19

Keith Jarvi, Extension Educator in Dakota, Dixon, and Thurston counties: We got a really nice rain Monday. It’s been cool and we haven’t seen much planting yet.

Charles Shapiro, Extension Soil Fertility Specialist, Northeast REC: Soil temperature is at 58°F here. Any corn in the ground will grow fairly slowly until we warm up. (See daily soil temperature updates.)

John Wilson, Extension Educator in Burt County: Farmers here have been fairly aggressive with planting, getting 10%-15% in before the rains hit. We had been really dry and got 0.4-0.5 inches. Growers also have been completing normal spring activities, including spreading fertilizer and applying herbicides.

Michael Rethwisch, Extension Educator in Butler County: After a windy, drying period last week, the rains were welcome. Growers had commented that they would have liked to have been spraying last week, but windy conditions precluded that. We’re seeing a lot of henbit. Field work included stalk disking. Probably just 2%-3% of corn has been planted.

Nathan Mueller, Extension Educator, reporting for Dodge and Washington Counties: Growers have been aggressively planting. Some have as much as 50% of their corn in. Some backed off from planting and waited for the rain as the ground was hard and they were having trouble getting enough planter pressure to penetrate the soil, particularly in no-till. We received 0.8-1 inches of precipitation in the area. It was so windy last week that some growers couldn’t get their pre-emergence applied. Some did apply and their neighbors and adjacent farmers were concerned about spray drift.

Keith Glewen, Extension Educator in Saunders County: Conditions are similar to those in Dodge and Washington counties. About 20% of our corn is in.

Gary Lesoing, Extension Educator reporting for Nemaha, Richardson, Johnson, and Pawnee Counties: Corn planting made significant progress in southeast Nebraska April 11-16 and is probably 50%-70% complete. Application of herbicides is also occurring where conditions allow. We received .65-1.00 inch of precipitation in the area on April 18.  Most anhydrous fertilizer applications are complete.

Tyler Williams, Extension Educator in Lancaster County: Biggest concern here for growers was getting enough downpressure on planters to penetrate deep enough. With the numerous shots of rain predicted for the next few weeks, not sure if crusting will be a concern.

Troy Ingram, Extension Educator reporting for Valley, Greeley, Sherman and Howard Counties: We got 4-4.5 inches of rain. Few here have started planting.

Ron Seymour, Extension Educator in Adams County: Before the rains, conditions here had been pretty dry. About 20%-25% of the corn was planted before we got 3.5 inches of rain, most of which appeared to have soaked in. We found rust in Webster County wheat.

Todd Whitney, Extension Educator in Hamilton County: Conditions here are similar; we got over 5 inches of rain. We’re getting reports of glyphosate-resistant kochia. About 20% of the corn is planted.

Julie Peterson, Extension Entomologist at the West Central REC, North Platte: As other sites reported, we received a lot of precipitation over the weekend and are waiting to dry out. I scouted wheat for army cutworms, but did not find a problem and have not received calls on other crop insects in the west central area.

Gary Stone, Extension Educator at Scottsbluff: We got 1-3 inches of moisture across the Panhandle. Most of the field peas and approximately half the sugar beets are planted. Not aware of any corn being planted in the area. The Bureau of Reclamation indicated good snowpack and a good water year.  (See more in this week’s CropWatch story.)

USDA NASS Nebraska Crop Progress and Condition, April 18

For the week ending April 17, temperatures averaged four to six degrees above normal with widespread precipitation across the state. Corn planting started during the week but was halted due to the rain. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6% very short, 24% short, 64% adequate, and 6% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 3% very short, 17% short, 77% adequate, and 3% surplus.

• Corn planting was 7% complete, near 3% for both last year and the five-year average.
• Winter wheat condition rated 3% poor, 40% fair, 48% good, and 9% excellent. Winter wheat jointed was at 18% percent, ahead of 4% last year and 12% average.
• Oats planted was at 71%, behind 80% last year, but ahead of the five-year average of 66%. Oat emergence was 23%, behind 36 last year, but near 21 average.

USDA NASS Nebraska Crop Progress and Condition, April 11

For the week ending April 10, temperatures throughout most of Nebraska averaged two to eight degrees above normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The State received minimal amounts of precipitation. However, high winds limited fieldwork activities such as spraying and spreading fertilizer.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7% very short, 26% short, 66% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 3% very short, 20% short, 75% adequate, and 2% surplus.

Winter wheat condition rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 40% fair, 50% good, and 7% excellent. Ten percent of the winter wheat had jointed.

Oat planting was at 50%, behind 63% last year, but ahead of 44% for the five-year average. Two percent of the oat crop had emerged, behind 9% last year and the five-year average of 8%.