Nebraska producers moved into the final stretch of spring planting last week, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn planting finished slightly ahead of last year and the five-year average, soybean planting is nearing the finish line, and sorghum planting moved ahead of last year’s pace. Despite continued row crop progress, drought concerns remained, with winter wheat and pasture conditions still heavily concentrated in poor and very poor categories.
For the week ending June 8, 2026, there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 28% very short, 28% short, 38% adequate and 6% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 33% very short, 33% short, 32% adequate and 2% surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn
- Emerged: 91% — behind 94% last year and 92% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 1% very poor, 4% poor, 37% fair, 45% good, 13% excellent.
Soybean
- Planted: 96% — slightly ahead of 96% last year and 96% for the five-year average.
- Emerged: 84% — behind 86% last year but ahead of 83% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 1% very poor, 5% poor, 31% fair, 52% good, 11% excellent.
Sorghum
- Planted: 69% — ahead of 45% last year and near 67% for the five-year average.
Winter Wheat
- Headed: 93% — ahead of 87% last year and 81% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 52% very poor, 30% poor, 14% fair, 4% good, 0% excellent.
Oats
- Emerged: 92% — behind 96% last year and the five-year average.
- Headed: 38% — ahead of 33% last year and the 37% average.
- Condition: 16% very poor, 27% poor, 48% fair, 9% good, 0% excellent.
Pasture and Range:
- Condition: 50% very poor, 30% 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.
