Wet, cool conditions were the norm across Nebraska for the week ending May 24, leading to delays in field work and an increase in wheat diseases in southeast Nebraska, according to the May 26 report from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Temperatures averaged six to eight degrees below normal. Planting as well as alfalfa harvest were hampered by the cloudy, wet conditions which provided an inch or more of rain in the western half of the state. 

Soil Moisture

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5% very short, 9% short, 69% adequate, and 17% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6% very short, 17% short, 66% adequate, and 11% surplus.

Field Crops Report

• Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 6% poor, 32% fair, 54% good, and 7% excellent. Planting was 92% complete, near 96% for both last year and the five-year average. Emerged was at 73%, near 70% last year, but ahead of 67% average.
• Sorghum planted was at 50%, near 53% last year and ahead of 41% average. Emerged was at 16%, ahead of 12% last year and 11% average.
• Soybeans planted was at 59%, behind 85% last year and 73% average. Emerged was at 22%, behind 38% last year and 31% average.
• Winter wheat condition rated 14% very poor, 18% poor, 32% fair, 34% good, and 2% excellent. Winter wheat jointed rated 95% complete, ahead of 79% last year and the five-year average of 83%. Headed was at 40%, ahead of 26% last year and 29% average.
• Oats condition rated 3% very poor, 8% poor, 27% fair, 59% good, and 3% excellent. Jointed was at 53%, well ahead of 25 last year. Headed was at 2%, near 5 last year, but behind 7 average.
• Alfalfa condition rated 1% very poor, 6% poor, 25% fair, 58% good, and 10% excellent. First cutting was at 11%, near 9% last year, but behind the average of 20%.
• Dry edible beans planted was at 3%, near 4% last year, but behind the average of 10%.
• Pasture and range conditions rated 4% very poor, 8% poor, 29% fair, 53% good, and 6% excellent.