May 10, 2010

Field Activities & Weather

For the week ending May 9,  corn planting progressed and was 78% complete and soybean planting progressed to 26% completed,  according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.  Cooler temperatures have slowed growth of emerging crops and forages. High winds dried soils but made herbicide application difficult. Temperatures averaged 7 degrees below normal for the week with temperatures dipped into the teens in the Panhandle. Highs for the state ranged from the upper 60s to mid 80s. All areas of the state except the Panhandle received precipitation and strong winds were prevalent across the state.

Crop Conditions

• Corn planting progressed to 78% complete statewide. This was a day ahead of the 74% last year and four days ahead of the 65% average. Approximately 16% of the corn had emerged, which was near last year's 17% but slightly ahead of the 14% average.
• Soybean planting was 26% complete, which was the same as last year, but a week ahead of the 15% average. The first soybean fields have begun to emerge.
• Sorghum planting was 8% complete, ahead of last year’s 6% and ahead of the 5% average.
• Wheat conditions rated 0% very poor, 5% poor, 25% fair, 62% good, and 8% excellent, below the 74% good or excellent of last year but above the 61% average. Wheat jointed was at 55%, behind last year’s 61% and the 64% average.
• Oat conditions rated 11% fair, 72% good, and 17% excellent. About 99% of the oats were planted, ahead of last year’s 98% and the 96% average. About 83% of the oats had emerged, behind last year’s 91% but ahead of the 79% average.
• Alfalfa rated 1% poor, 10% fair, 74% good, and 15% excellent. Conditions were above last year’s 74% good or excellent condition and the 63% average. First cutting of alfalfa was 3% complete.
• Wild hay conditions rated 1% poor, 11% fair, 76% good, and 12% excellent.
• Pasture and range conditions rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 12% fair, 75% good, and 12% excellent, well above last year’s 71% good and excellent and 61% average.

This release is based on data from FSA county directors, Extension Educators, NOAA, and the High Plains Regional Climate Center. County comments and reports are available online.