May 15, 2009

The third consecutive week of favorableconditions allowed producers to make excellentplanting progress, according to a May 10 report from USDA's NationalAgricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.For the fourth week out of the last six, temperatures were below normal. Temperatures averagedone degree below normal across Nebraska and ranged fromhighs in the mid 80s in the East Central District to lows in theupper 20s in the Panhandle.

May 10 Crop Conditions

• Corn planting made good progress and was 78% complete, a week ahead of last year's 52% and three days ahead of the 70% average. Nineteen percent of the corn had emerged, ahead of last year's 4% but even with the 19% average.

   

• Soybean planting was 29% complete, 10 days ahead of last year's 6% and six days ahead of the 17% average.

   

• Wheat conditions rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 22% fair, 63% good, and 12% excellent, above last year's 64% good or excellent condition. Wheat jointed was 66%, well ahead of last year's 31% but behind the 70% average.

   

• Alfalfa conditions rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 24% fair, 66% good, and 8% excellent, near last year's 76% good or excellent condition.

   

• Oat conditions improved and rated 0% very poor, 6% poor, 9% fair, 80% good and 5% excellent. Oat planting was 99% complete, ahead of last year's 93% and the 97% average. Oat emergence was 95%, well ahead of last year's 62% and the 80% average.

   

• Sorghum planting was just underway at 7% complete, four days ahead of last year's 2% and near the average of 6%.

   

• Pasture and range conditions rated 0% very poor, 4% poor, 25% fair, 63% good, and 8% excellent, above last year's 66% good and excellent condition.