The 2014 wheat harvest has started in southern Nebraska, according to the  USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report for the week ending July 7.

After a cool beginning, temperatures gave way to hot, humid conditions with irrigation starting in a number of counties. Corn was entering the pollination stage with the first tassels beginning to appear. The dry weather conditions allowed hay harvest to continue and producers were able to apply herbicides to spring-planted crops. 

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 3% very short, 20% short, 72% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 8% very short, 21% short, 68% adequate, and 3% surplus.

Field Crops Report

Winter wheat conditions rated 6% very poor, 14% poor, 31% fair, 45% good, and 4% excellent. Winter wheat coloring was 85%, behind 90% last year, and the five-year average of 93%. Winter wheat mature was 37%, ahead of 27% last year, but behind 44% average. Winter wheat harvested was 13%, ahead of 10% last year, but behind 26% average.

Corn conditions rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 21% fair, 52% good, and 20% excellent. Corn silking was 8%, ahead of 1% last year, but behind the average of 14%.

Soybeans conditions rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 22% fair, 57% good, and 16% excellent. Soybeans blooming was at 39%, ahead of 17% last year and the average of 21%.

Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 37% fair, 44% good, and 17% excellent. Sorghum emerged was 100%, near 99% last year and equal to the average. Sorghum headed was 3%, near 0 both last year and the average.

Oat condition rated 3% very poor, 17% poor, 28% fair, 50% good, and 2% excellent. Oats headed was 87%, behind 96% both last year and 97% average. Oats coloring was at 45%. Oats mature was at 11%. Oats harvested was at 2%, near 0 last year, but behind the average of 18%.

Dry beans condition rated 4% very poor, 2% poor, 18% fair, 60% good, and 16% excellent. Dry beans blooming was at 1%, equal to both last year and the average.

Proso millet planting was 62% complete, well behind 100% last year and the average of 96%.

Alfalfa hay conditions rated 2% very poor, 7% poor, 33% fair, 51% good, and 7% excellent. Alfalfa hay second cutting was 37% complete, ahead of 17% last year, but near the average of 41%.

Pasture and range conditions rated 7% very poor, 11% poor, 30% fair, 45% good, and 7% excellent.

Access the national publication for Crop Progress and Condition.