June 20, 2008

Drier conditions across much of the state allowed producers to get back in the fields to finish planting, cut hay, and apply herbicides, according to a June 15 report from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Flooding and severe storms in parts of Nebraska have resulted in the replanting of some fields. With the break in weather, hay producers were making progress getting their first cutting. Temperatures last week averaged 4 degrees below normal and ranged from highs in the mid-90s in the southwest to lows in the 30s in the Panhandle. The East Central and Southeast Districts received the most rainfall and averaged over an inch of precipitation.

Crop Condition

Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 6% poor, 27% fair, 55% good, and 11% excellent, well below last year's 75% good or excellent rating. Warm, dry conditions are needed to promote growth and reduce yellowing.

Soybean condition rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 25% fair, 61% good, and 7% excellent, well below last year's 81% good or excellent condition. Soybean planting was 91% complete, 10 days behind last year and the 99% average. Seventy-six percent of the soybeans had emerged, behind last year's 91% and a week behind the 92% average.

Wheat condition rated 3% very poor, 5% poor, 28% fair, 57% good, and 7% excellent, well above last year's 56% good or excellent condition. Wheat heading was 94% complete, still behind last year and the average of 98%. Only 13% of the wheat had turned color, well behind last year's 57% and 10 days behind the 50% average.

Alfalfa condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 24% fair, 62% good, and 9% excellent, above last year's 67% good or excellent condition. First cutting was 43% complete, well behind last year's 79% and two weeks behind the 82% average.

Oat condition rated 0% very poor or poor, 9% fair, 79% good, and 12% excellent, well above last year's 80% good or excellent condition. Forty-eight percent of the oats had headed, behind last year's 65% and six days behind the 70% average.

Sorghum condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 35% fair, 59% good, and 3% excellent. Sorghum planting was 88% complete, near last year's 89% but four days behind the 93% average. Sixty-two percent of the sorghum had emerged, behind last year's 68% and the 74% average.

Dry bean planting jumped to 74% complete, behind last year's 88% and the 83% average. Twenty-six percent of the dry beans had emerged, behind last year's 58% and the average of 45%.

Proso millet planting was 30% complete, behind last year's 55% and a week behind the 46% average.

Pasture andrange conditions rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 19% fair, 60% good, and 15% excellent, near last year's 74% good or excellent condition. Pastures and rangelands are showing good growth and providing ample grazing.

Nebraska Field Office
USDA's NationalAgricultural Statistics Service