USDA: Recent Weather Extremes Hit Crops

USDA: Recent Weather Extremes Hit Crops

May 29, 2012

Nebraska crops faced challenges from hot, dry, windy conditions as well as night-time lows in the 30s, hail, thunderstorms and several tornadoes during the week ending May 27. The storms also brought much needed rain in portions of central and northeastern Nebraska, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.

Planting of soybeans was nearly completed and three-fourths of the sorghum crop had been planted. Wheat was mostly headed and 22% of the crop was turning color. The first cutting of alfalfa was over three weeks ahead of average. Proso millet and dry bean planting continued.

Temperatures averaged near normal in the northern half of the state and 3 to7 degrees above normal in the southern half. High temperatures reached triple digits in several locations and lows of mid 30s were recorded in the Panhandle.

Crop Report

  • Corn emergence was estimated at 97%, well ahead of 71% last year and the 75% average. Corn conditions rated 3% poor, 18% fair, 72% good, and 7% excellent, above last year’s 46% good to excellent.
  • Soybean planting was 96% complete, ahead of 75% last year and 12 days ahead of the 77% average. Soybean emergence was at 73%, ahead of 36% last year and average.
  • Sorghum planting was 73% complete, ahead of 43% last year and 11 days ahead of the 48% average. Sorghum emergence was 31%, ahead of 15% last year and the average of 16%.
  • Oats headed was 47%, well ahead of 5 last year and 3 weeks ahead of 7 average. Oats conditions rated 2% poor, 25 fair, 71 good, and 2 excellent.
  • About 95% of the wheat crop had headed, ahead of 26% last year and 21 days ahead of the average of 37%. Wheat turning color was 22%. The impact of hot, dry conditions and low night-time temperatures was evident in Panhandle wheat. Wheat conditions declined and rated 3% very poor, 10% poor, 37% fair, 45% good, and 5% excellent, below 53% good to excellent last year and 64% average.
  • Dry bean planting was 41% complete, well ahead of 7% last year and 11 days ahead of the 14% average.
  • Proso millet was 26% planted, well ahead of 2% average.
  • The first cutting of alfalfa was 81% complete, well ahead of 7% last year and 25 days ahead of the 18% average. Concerns continued over insect activity. Alfalfa rated 1% very poor, 9% poor, 31% fair, 52% good, and 7% excellent, below 74% good to excellent last year and average.

 

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