July 25, 2008

Wheat harvest was completed throughout muchof the south and was active in the southern Panhandle, according to the July 20 report from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service,Nebraska Field Office. Droughtconditions remain in the Panhandle with only 72% of normalrainfall since April 1.

Corn conditions rated 2%very poor, 4% poor, 19% fair, 56% good, and 19% excellent, above last year's 74% good or excellent rating. Irrigated fieldsrated 74% good or excellent well below last year whiledryland fields rated 80%, well above year ago levels. Cornsilked was 46%, behind last year's 73% and five daysbehind the average of 63%.

Soybean conditions rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 18% fair,60% good, and 15% excellent, well above last year's 67%good or excellent condition. Soybeans blooming were39%, behind last year's 68% and nine days behind the67% average. Soybeans setting pods was 4%, well behindlast year's 22% and the average of 19%.

Wheat conditions rated 4% very poor, 8% poor, 32% fair,45% good, and 11% excellent. Wheat ripe was 88%, behindlast year's 99 and the average of 96. Wheat harvested was62%, behind last year's 85% and six days behind theaverage of 84%.

Alfalfa conditions rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 19% fair,63% good, and 14% excellent, well above last year's 58%good or excellent condition. Second cutting was 61%complete, behind last year's and the average of 82%.

Oat conditions rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 9% fair,61% good, and 29% excellent, well above last year's 67%good or excellent condition. Oats harvested was 24%,behind last year's 60, and eight days behind the average of 57%.

Sorghum conditions rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 26% fair,61% good, and 11% excellent, well below last year's 81%good or excellent condition. Heading had begun in a fewfields.

Dry bean conditions rated 0% very poor, 4% poor, 30% fair,56% good, and 10% excellent, below last year's 75% goodor excellent condition. Dry beans blooming were 23%,behind last year's 31% and the average of 32%.

Wild hay conditions rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 15% fair,61% good, and 22% excellent, well above last year's 70% good or excellent condition.

Pasture andrange conditions rated 1% very poor, 6% poor, 19% fair,56% good, and 18% excellent, well above last year's 58%good or excellent condition. Pastures are flourishing in muchof the state and remain green and lush.

Nebraska Field Office
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service