UNL CropWatch May 2, 2011: Corn Planting at Just 15%

UNL CropWatch May 2, 2011: Corn Planting at Just 15%

May 2, 2011

For the week ending May 1, spring planting progress was slow due to cool temperatures and rainfall, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.

Field activities did, however, pick up at the end of the week as strong winds dried soils. Soil temperatures increased last week, but with most temperatures still in the low 50s, the corn crop was slow to emerge. Cool season grasses, alfalfa, and winter wheat showed some improvement during the week.

Temperatures averaged 6 degrees below normal across the state. High temperatures ranged from the mid 80s in the southern half of Nebraska to lows below freezing in the Panhandle and Southwest District.

For the month of April, all districts averaged above normal precipitation.

Field Crops Report

  • Corn planting advanced slowly to 15% complete, well behind last year’s 44% and one week behind 35% average. The first corn plants have emerged at 1% compared to 3% last year and 2% average.
     
  • Soybean planting was just underway and limited to 1% complete, behind 7% last year and 4% average.
     
  • Wheat conditions rated 1% very poor, 13% poor, 39% fair, 41% good, and 6% excellent, below last year’s 74% good to excellent and 63% average. Wheat jointed was 26%, behind last year’s 28% and 33% average.
     
  • Oats planted were at 81%, behind last year’s 92% and 90% average.Oats emerged was at 46%, behind 63% last year and 54% average.
     
  • Alfalfa rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 20% fair, 71% good, and 6% excellent, below last year’s 88% good to excellent.
     
  • Pasture and range conditions rated 0% very poor, 5% poor, 26% fair, 64% good, and 5% excellent, well below last year’s 84% good to excellent but near 68% average.

Nebraska Field Office
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

 

 

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