August 8, 2008

For the week ending August 3, hot, dry conditions allowed producers to wrap-up wheat harvest but stressed dryland crops and livestock, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Temperatures averaged 3 degrees above normal across the state with many districts recordingtriple digit heat.

Corn conditions rated 2% very poor, 4% poor, 19% fair, 58% good, and 17% excellent, even with last year's 75% good or excellent rating. Irrigated fields rated 77% good or excellent well below last year while dryland fields rated 73% well above year ago levels. Corn silked was 92%, behind last year's 96% and the average of 95%. Corn in the dough stage was 20%, behind last year's 42% and five days behind the average of 33%.

Soybean conditions rated 2% very poor, 4% poor, 19% fair, 61% good, and 14% excellent, above last year's 70% good or excellent condition. Soybeans blooming were 83%, behind last year's 90% and five days behind the average of 92%. Soybeans setting pods was 37%, behind last year's57% and six days behind the average of 58%.

Wheat harvested was virtually complete at 98%, near last year's 100% and the average of 99%.

Alfalfa conditions rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 24% fair, 58% good, and 12% excellent, well above last year's 57% good or excellent condition. Second cutting was 92% complete, behind last year's 99% and average of 97%. Third cutting was 12% complete, behind last year's 35% and 30%average.

Wild hay conditions rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 16% fair, 57% good, and 24% excellent, well above last year's 70%good or excellent condition.

Oats harvested was 86%, five days behind last year andthe average of 92%.

Sorghum conditions rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 19% fair, 64% good, and 13% excellent, below last year's 82% good or excellent condition. Sorghum headed was 18%, behind last year's 46% and eight days behind the average of 47%.

Dry bean conditions rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 38% fair, 51% good, and 6% excellent, below last year's 70% good or excellent condition. Dry beans blooming were 87%, well ahead of last year's 75% and the average of 78%. Dry beans setting pods were 37%, well ahead of last year's 26% butbehind the 40% average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 1% very poor, 8% poor, 24% fair, 54% good, and 13% excellent, well above last year's 56% good or excellent condition.

Nebraska Field Office
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service