Sept. 2, 2014

Most of Nebraska had below normal temperatures and rain last week with some areas receiving heavy rain, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Only an area of southeast Nebraska saw above normal average temperatures.  Topsoil moisture supplies rated 4% very short, 23% short, 67% adequate and 6% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 9% very short, 27% short, 62% adequate and 10% surplus.

Crop Reports

Corn conditions rated 3% very poor, 6% poor, 20% fair, 50% good, and 21% excellent. Ninety-four percent of corn was at dough, near last year's 91% and the five-year average of 95%. Corn dented was 61%, ahead of 48% last year, but behind 65% average. Corn mature was 8%, ahead of 1% last year, but equal to the average.

Nationally, 74% of the corn crop rated good to excellent, with 90% in the dough stage and 53% dented.

Soybean conditions rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 21% fair, 54% good, and 18% excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 5%, near 4% last year and 2% average.

Nationally, 72% of the soybean crop was in good to excellent condition; 95% had set pods and 5% was dropping leaves.

Sorghum conditions rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 33% fair, 40% good, and 20% excellent. Sorghum coloring was 71%, well ahead of 30% last year and 35% average.

Dry bean conditions rated 3% very poor, 1% poor, 15% fair, 61% good, and 20% excellent. Dry beans setting pods was 92%, behind 96% last year and 98% average. Dry beans dropping leaves was 39%, ahead of 32% last year and 17% average.

Alfalfa hay conditions rated 2% very poor, 6% poor, 30% fair, 51% good, and 11% excellent. Alfalfa hay third cutting was 90% complete, ahead of 84% last year and 86% average. Alfalfa hay fourth cutting was 19% complete, ahead of 5% last year, but near the five-year average of 17%.

Proso millet harvested was 1%, behind 12 last year and 6 average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 6% very poor, 9 poor, 33 fair, 44 good, and 8 excellent.