Corn and soybeans in Saunders County the last week of June. (Photos by Nick Manes)

June 26, 2013

While recent rains have benefitted topsoil moisture, overall subsoil levels in Nebraska are still short, reported at 20% very short, 34% short, 46% adequate and 0% surplus.

Topsoil moisture was rated 7% very short, 27% short, 65% adequate, and 1% surplus, with portions of south central, southwest and northwest Nebraska experiencing very dry conditions.

This week Nebraska corn was rated 75% good to excellent and soybean was rated 76% good to excellent by the Nebraska Field Office of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Crops were catching up to early growth delays with rainfall and above normal temperatures the week ending June 23. Rainfall amounts of two inches or more were recorded in northern rangeland counties and portions of the eastern Panhandle with most of the rest of the state reporting less than one inch.

Damaging hail was reported in many counties, however most storms were localized. High winds made herbicide application a challenge.

Temperatures were 3 to 5 degrees above normal across the east and south and near normal elsewhere. Most of the wheat in the southern third of the state was turning color with harvest expected to begin near July 4.

Crop Condition

• Corn conditions rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 22% fair, 60% good, 15% excellent.
   
• Soybean conditions rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 22% fair, 67% good, and 9% excellent. The percent of soybeans that had emerged was 95%, behind last year’s 100% but near the 96% average.
   
• Sorghum conditions rated 1% percent very poor, 7% poor, 30% fair, 38% good and 24% excellent. The percent of sorghum that had emerged was 91%, behind last year’s 97% but near the 89% average.
   
• Wheat conditions rated 26% very poor, 25% poor, 31% fair, 17% good, and 1% excellent. Ninety-eight percent of the crop had headed, compared to 100% last year and the 99% average. Forty percent of the crop had turned color, well behind 98% last year and the 57% average. Only 1% was ripe, well behind 60% last year and the 14% average.
   
• Proso millet was 97% planted, near last year’s 98% but ahead of the 71% average.
   
• Oat conditions rated 3% very poor, 10% poor, 31% fair, 47% good and 9% excellent. About 77% of the crop had headed, behind last year’s 96% but near the 79% average.
   
• Dry bean conditions rated 0% very poor, 0% poor, 30% fair, 60% good and 10% excellent. Dry beans planted were 99%, ahead of last year’s 97% and the 95% average. Emergence was at 84%, ahead of 81% last year and the 71% average.
   
• Alfalfa conditions were 2% very poor, 11% poor, 35% fair, 46% good and 6% excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was 84% complete, behind last year’s 99% but near 86% average. Alfalfa second cutting was 2% complete, well behind last year’s 63% and 16% average.

Livestock, Pasture and Range: Stock water supplies rated 5% very short, 12% short, 82% adequate and 1% surplus. Pasture and range condition was 10% very poor, 26% poor, 40% fair, 21% good and 3% excellent. Hay and forage supplies rated 25% very short, 36% short, 38% adequate, and 1% surplus.

National Outlook

Across 18 states, the average condition for corn was 2% very poor, 6% poor, 27% fair, 51% good and 14% excellent.
The average condition for soybean was 2% very poor, 5% poor, 28% fair, 54% good and 11% excellent.

The average condition for wheat was 24% very poor, 19% poor, 25% fair, 25% good and 7% excellent.

To access the national or other state reports, see http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg//2010s/2013/CropProg-06-24-2013.pdf