July 23, 2012
Drought conditions and above normal temperatures continued to take a toll on the state's crops. Today's Nebraska Weather and Crops Report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reported the at pasture and forage supplies were short, corn acres were being chopped for silage or cut for hay, and CRP acres were being released for emergency haying. In some areas as much irrigation water has been applied so far this season as would typically be applied over the whole season.
Temperatues ranged from 5 degrees above normal in most of the state to 8 degrees above normal in the north central area. Areas in north central and central Nebraska received measureable rainfall, but most of the state didn't receive any moisture.
Crop Conditions
Corn silked was 88%, compared to 62% last year and over one week ahead of the 66% average. Corn in the dough stage was 25%, compared to 5% last year and average. Corn in the dent stage was 2%, compared to 0% last year and average. Corn conditions declined and rated 14% very poor, 19% poor, 30% fair, 32% good, and 5% excellent, well below last year’s 80% good to excellent and 79% average. Irrigated corn conditions rated 57% good to excellent and dryland corn rated 9%.
Eighty-two percent of the soybean crop was blooming, ahead of 58% last year and 12 days ahead of the average of 61%. Soybeans setting pods was 27%, ahead of 14% last year and 16% average. Soybean condition declined and rated 10% very poor, 22% poor, 40% fair, 26% good, and 2% excellent, well below last year’s 78% good to excellent and 77% average.
Sorghum headed was 19%, ahead of 7% last year and 6% average. Sorghum conditions rated 11% very poor, 20% poor, 42% fair, 26% good, and 1% excellent, well below last year’s 81% good to excellent and 77% average.
The second cutting of alfalfa was 93% complete, well ahead of 71% last year and 75% average. The third cutting of alfalfa was 46% complete compared to 2% last year and 3% average. Alfalfa conditions declined and rated 33% very poor, 30% poor, 23% fair, 13% good, and 1% excellent, well below 83% good to excellent last year and 74% average.
Oats harvested was 94%, compared to 61% last year and 49% average.
Dry beans blooming were 35%, ahead of 18% last year and 33% average. Dry beans setting pods was 2%, equal to last year but behind 6% average. Dry bean conditions rated 1% very poor, 9% poor, 42% fair, 45% good, and 3% excellent, but still well below 64% good to excellent last year and 71% average.
Wild hay harvest was 84% complete, ahead of 69% last year and 32% average.
Pasture and range conditions rated 37% very poor, 35% poor, 21% fair, 7% good, and 0% excellent, well below 82% good to excellent last year and 76% average.
