June 17, 2013

Winter wheat was beginning to turn color in southern counties with harvest expected to start around July 4, according to the June 17 report from the Nebraska Field Office of the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Most of the state had 1/2 inch or less of rain during the week, except for extreme east central and notheast Nebraska where there were heavier amounts.  Pivots were started in some areas, according to the reports.  Temperatures averaged near normal across the east and north, but were 4-6 degrees above normal across western Nebraska drought dounties.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7% very short, 24% short, 66% adequate, and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 25% very short, 30% short, 44% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops

• Corn conditions rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 23% fair, 65% good, 10% excellent. The crop was 100% emerged, in line with last year and average.
   
• Soybean conditions rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 21% fair, 67% good, and 10% excellent. Soybeans were 99% planted. Emerged was 90%, behind last year’s 99% but near the average of 91%.
   
• Sorghum conditions rated 1% very poor, 7% poor, 26% fair, 41% good, and 25% excellent. Sorghum planting was 97% complete, behind 99% last year but ahead of 93% average. Seventy-two percent had emerged, behind last year’s 90% and the average of 75%.
   
• Wheat conditions rated 24% very poor, 28% poor, 32% fair, 15% good, and 1% excellent. Wheat headed was 88%, behind 100% last year and the average of 94%. Wheat turning color was 7%, well behind 91% last year and 34% average.
   
• Proso millet was 83% planted, behind last year at 88% but ahead of 44% average.
   
• Oat condition rated 3% very poor, 11% poor, 31% fair, 48% good, and 7% excellent. Oats headed were 51%, behind last year’s 86% and 63% average.
   
• Dry bean conditions rated 0% very poor, 0% poor, 36% fair, 60% good, and 4% excellent. Dry beans planted were 84%, behind last year’s 89% but ahead of 79% average. Emerged was 43%, behind 57% last year but near the average of 41%.
   
• Alfalfa conditions were 2% very poor, 11% poor, 36% fair, 46% good, and 5% excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was 60% complete, well behind last year’s 95% and 71% average.
   
• Pasture and range condition was 15% very poor, 24% poor, 41% fair, 18% good, and 2% excellent. Hay and forage supplies rated 27% very short, 35% short, 38% adequate, and 0% surplus.