Temperatures averaged six to eight degrees below normal and precipitation ranged from one-half to two inches across the state for the week ending August 6, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The cooler temperatures and rain alleviated some stress in corn and soybeans caused by prior dry conditions.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 21% very short, 39% short, 40% adequate, and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 20% very short, 38% short, 42% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report

Corn condition rated 5% very poor, 11% poor, 25% fair, 43% good, and 16% excellent. Corn silking was 97%, near 98% last year, and equal to the five-year average. Dough was 40%, near 44% last year, and behind the five-year average of 45%. Three percent had dented, behind 8% last year and the average of 10%.

Nationally, the crop was rated 13% excellent; 47% good, 27% fair, 9% poor and 4% very poor; 42% of the crop nationally was in the dough state 7% had dented.

Soybean condition rated 4% very poor, 9% poor, 29% fair, 48% good, and 10% excellent. Soybeans blooming was 94%, near 93% for both last year and the average. Setting pods was 65%, near 62% last year and the average of 63%.

Condition of the US soybean crop was rated 10% excellent, 50% good, 28% fair, 9% poor, and 3% very poor. Sixty five percent was setting pods.

Sorghum condition rated 3% very poor, 3% poor, 30% fair, 51% good, and 13% excellent. Sorghum headed was 59%, behind 69% last year, and near the average of 61%. Coloring was 4%, equal to last year, and near the average of 6%.

Oats harvested was 91%, ahead of 84% last year, and near 88% average.

Alfalfa condition rated 4% very poor, 14% poor, 37% fair, 38% good, and 7% excellent. Alfalfa third cutting was 65% complete, ahead of 56% last year and the average of 50%. Fourth cutting was 12% done.

Dry edible beans condition rated 11% very poor, 19 poor, 19 fair, 36 good, and 15 excellent. Dry edible beans blooming was 88%, near 92 last year. Setting pods was 57%, behind 75% last year, but near the average of 56%.

Pasture and range conditions rated 15% very poor, 20% poor, 37% fair, 25% good, and 3% excellent.

To see how Nebraska's neighbors and other crops are faring, access the national USDA-NASS Crop Condition Report for the week ending Aug. 6.