For the week ending May 28, cool and mostly dry conditions prevailed, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Average temperatures ranged from three to nine degrees below normal. Some areas of the Panhandle and southeast Nebraska received up to an inch of rain; however, much of the state remained dry. This allowed soils to dry out, and producers continued to plant and cut hay.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 0% very short, 7% short, 85% adequate, and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 1% very short, 6% short, 86% adequate, and 7% surplus.

Field Crops Report

• Corn condition rated 0% very poor, 4% poor, 20% fair, 68% good, and 8% excellent. Corn planted was 95%, equal to last year, and near 97% for the five-year average. Emerged was 76%, near 74% last year and the 80% average.
• Soybeans planted was at 76%, ahead of 70% last year, but near the five-year average of 79%. Emerged was 35%, near 33% last year, but behind the average of 44%.
• Winter wheat condition rated 2% very poor, 10% poor, 41% fair, 39% good, and 8% excellent. Winter wheat headed was 86%, ahead of 68% last year, and well ahead of 55% average.
• Sorghum planted was 50%, near 51% last year, and behind the average of 58%. Emerged was 17%.
• Oats condition rated 0% very poor, 0% poor, 22% fair, 67% good, and 11% excellent. Oats jointed was 76%, well ahead of 55% last year. Headed was 31%, ahead of 20% both last year and average.
• Alfalfa condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 18% fair, 69% good, and 12% excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was 25%, near 28% last year, and behind the five-year average of 30%.
• Dry edible beans planted was at 1%, behind 10% last year and the average of 16%.
• Proso millet planted was 4%.
• Pasture and range conditions rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 20% fair, 66% good, and 13% excellent.