Nebraska Crop and Soil Moisture Update

For the week ending April 19,  clear conditions during the first part of the week allowed fieldwork to advance, but gave way to rain which limited activity during the latter half, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. An inch or more of precipitation was common throughout the state, with 2 to 3 inches reported in west central counties. Temperatures averaged six degrees above normal across the eastern Nebraska, but were near normal in the Panhandle.

Topsoil moisture conditions moved higher, as did pasture prospects. The rain kept soil temperatures cool and limited fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 8% very short, 24% short, 63% adequate, and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 28% short, 58% adequate, and 2% surplus.

Field Crops Report

Corn planting was 4% complete, equal to last year, and near the five-year average of 5%.

Winter wheat condition rated 13% very poor, 18% poor, 32% fair, 34% good, and 3% excellent. Six percent of winter wheat had jointed; ahead of 0% last year, but behind the five-year average of 16%.

Oats planting was 84% complete, ahead of 61% last year and the five-year average of 69%. Oats emergence was at 34%, well ahead of 14% last year and the average of 21%.