Aug. 13, 2012

Irrigated corn rates 51% good to excellent; dryland corn 2%.
Soybeans at 18% good to excellent, well below average of 77%.

Crop conditions across the state continued to decline due to the drought, even though temperatures had started to moderate by the weekend, according to a report of crop conditions USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.  The report covered the week up to Sunday, Aug. 12.

Drought damaged corn fields continue to be chopped for silage or baled for hay. A few fields of corn were harvested for grain in some southeastern counties, but progress is limited and not widespread. Irrigation remains active as crop progress advances. Fields are being prepared for seeding of winter wheat in the western part of the state. Cattle are being removed from pastures and receiving supplemental feed.

Crop Conditions

Corn in the dough stage was 86%, compared to 51% last year and 11 days ahead of 58% average. Corn in the dent stage reached 51%, ahead of 7% last year and 14% average. Corn that has reached maturity was 6%, compared to 0 last year and average. Corn conditions rated 22% very poor, 19% poor, 28% fair, 27% good, and 4% excellent, well below 76% good to excellent last year and 77% average. Irrigated corn conditions rated 51% good to excellent and dryland corn rated 2%.

Soybeans blooming were 97%, ahead of 93% last year but near 96% average. Soybeans setting pods were 83%, ahead of 66% last year and 74% average. Soybeans turning color were at 2%, compared to 0 last year and average. Soybean conditions rated 21% very poor, 25% poor, 36% fair, 17% good, and 1% excellent, well below last year’s 78% good to excellent and 77% average.

Sorghum headed was 64%, ahead of 68% last year and 69% average. Sorghum turning color was 1%, compared to 1% last year and 3% average. Sorghum conditions rated 13% very poor, 28% poor, 45% fair, 14% good, and 0 excellent, well below last year’s 79% good to excellent and 78% average.

The third cutting of alfalfa was 91% complete compared to 46% last year and 50% average. The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 10% complete compared to 0 last year and average. Alfalfa conditions rated 42% very poor, 26% poor, 18% fair, 13% good, and 1% excellent, well below 78% good to excellent last year and 69% average.

Dry beans blooming were 97%, ahead of 96% last year and average. Dry beans setting pods were 75%, ahead of 68% last year and average. Dry bean conditions rated 2% very poor, 8% poor, 39% fair, 45% good, and 6% excellent, well below 65% good to excellent last year and 67% average.

Wild hay harvest was 94% complete, ahead of 80% last year and 50% average.

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office