August 16, 2011

Below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation brought some relief to the high heat and humidity that made for challenging growing conditions, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service Nebraska Field Office report for the week ending Aug. 14.

Storms that brought high winds, hail, and heavy rain caused damage to crops and property in isolated locations. Temperatures ranged from 2 to 7 degrees below normal. Highs stayed out of the triple digits, but reached the low 90s. Lows were recorded in the low 50s. Most areas of the state received above normal rainfall for the week with areas of north central and east central Nebraska reporting more than 3 inches.

Corn condition rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 18% fair, 55% good, and 20% excellent. Irrigated corn conditions rated 79% good to excellent and dryland corn rated 71% good to excellent. Fifty-eight percent of the corn crop had reach dough stage, behind 76% last year and the average of 70%. Approximately 10% of the crop was in the dent stage, behind 28% last year and the average of 22%.

Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 18% fair, 57% good, and 21% excellent, equal to last year’s good to excellent and above the 70% average. Ninety-four percent of the soybeans were blooming, behind 99% last year and the 98% average. Soybean acreage setting pods were at 72%, behind 89% last year and 84% average.

Sorghum conditions rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 18% fair, 69% good, and 10% excellent, below 81% good to excellent last year but above the 72% average. Sorghum headed was 71%, behind 89% last year and the 77% average. Sorghum turning color was 2%, behind 10% last year and 6% average.

Dry bean condition rated 1% very poor, 11% poor, 25% fair, 57% good, and 6% excellent, below 78% good to excellent last year and 67% average. Dry beans blooming were 97%, near 100% last year and 98% average. Dry beans setting pods were 69%, behind 81% last year and 78% average.

Alfalfa rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 20% fair, 63% good, and 15% excellent, below 82% good to excellent last year but well above 59% average. Third cutting of alfalfa was at 53%, behind 66% last year and 57% average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 20% fair, 65% good, and 11% excellent, below last year’s 89% good to excellent but above 58% average.

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

Release from the Nebraska Field Office
National Agricultural Statistics Service