UNL CropWatch: USDA Nebraska Crop Condition Report

UNL CropWatch: USDA Nebraska Crop Condition Report

April 21, 2011

Drew Lyon, extension dryland cropping systems specialist and Fenster Distinguished Professor of Dryland Agriculture: Recent cold temperatures and snow appear to be helping, rather than hurting, the winter wheat crop in western Nebraska. Our wheat hasn't jointed yet, although it is getting close and will probably start next week. As the wheat continues to develop and heads begin to emerge from the ground, cold temperatures will become more problematic throughout the region.

On Monday (April 18), the Nebraka Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service reported the following:

Precipitation in the form of rain and snow fell at the end of the week, providing much needed moisture. For the week ending April 17, producers had 4 days suitable for fieldwork. Soil temperatures fell to the lower 40s in the north and west, but remained in the mid 50s in the southeast. Precipitation ranged from a trace at some Panhandle sites to over two inches in northeast Nebraska.

Corn planting was 3% complete, compared to last year’s 4% and even with average.

Wheat conditions rated 2% very poor, 17% poor, 38% fair, 38% good, and 5% excellent, below last year’s 66% good to excellent. Seven percent of the wheat had jointed, below last year’s 8% and the 10% average.

Oat planting was 60% complete, behind last year’s 67% but ahead of the 58% average. Oat emergence was at 6%, below last year's 16% and the average of 14%.

Alfalfa rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 25% fair, 67% good, and 5% excellent, below last year's 84% good to excellent.

Pasture and range conditions rated 0% very poor, 4% poor, 29% fair, 62% good, and 5% excellent, well below last year’s 84% good to excellent but above the 62% average.

 

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