Recent rainfall helped Nebraska crops advance rapidly, with corn and soybean emergence making substantial gains last week. Despite the improvement, drought stress continued to affect much of the state, particularly winter wheat and pastureland.
For the week ending May 31, 2026, there were 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 27% very short, 29% short, 41% adequate and 3% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 35% very short, 33% short, 30% adequate and 2% surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn
- Planted: 97% — near 98% last year and 96% for the five-year average.
- Emerged: 79% — behind 88% last year and 82% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 1% very poor, 4% poor, 37% fair, 49% good, 9% excellent.
Soybean
- Planted: 95% — slightly ahead of 94% last year and 92% for the five-year average.
- Emerged: 72% — behind 75% last year but ahead of 68% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 1% very poor, 5% poor, 33% fair, 51% good, 10% excellent.
Sorghum
- Planted: 46% — ahead of 36% last year and near 47% for the five-year average.
Winter Wheat
- Headed: 84% — ahead of 77% last year and 60% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 49% very poor, 31% poor, 15% fair, 5% good, 0% excellent.
Oats
- Emerged: 91% — behind 94% last year and the five-year average.
- Headed: 21% — ahead of 18% last year and the 19% average.
- Condition: 23% very poor, 34% poor, 33% fair, 10% good, 0% excellent.
Pasture and Range:
- Condition: 51% very poor, 29% poor, 15% fair, 5% good, 0% excellent.
Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency, Nebraska Extension, and other reporters across the state.
