Nebraska's corn and soybean crops continued progressing near or slightly ahead of typical late-August development last week, while sorghum remained somewhat behind its usual pace. Corn was generally on track through the dough and dent stages, though maturity continued to lag, while soybean development was slightly ahead of average as the crop began transitioning toward maturity.
Pasture and range conditions improved from the previous week but remained a significant concern, with nearly two-thirds of the state's acres still rated poor or very poor. Sorghum conditions also remained relatively weak compared with corn and soybean, with only about one-third of the crop rated good or excellent.
Soil moisture improved somewhat following recent rainfall, particularly at the surface, though subsoil moisture remained limited across much of the state. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 19% very short, 24% short, 53% adequate and 4% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 26% very short, 31% short, 42% adequate and 1% surplus.
For the week ending Aug. 23, there were 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork.
Field Crops Report:
Corn
- Dough: 84% — ahead of 80% last year and equal to the five-year average.
- Dented: 46% — equal to last year but behind the five-year average of 48%.
- Mature: 3% — behind 5% last year and the five-year average of 6%.
- Condition: 5% very poor, 12% poor, 28% fair, 40% good, 15% excellent.
Soybean
- Setting Pods: 93% — ahead of 88% last year and the five-year average of 91%.
- Dropping Leaves: 5% — ahead of 0% last year and the five-year average of 4%.
- Condition: 3% very poor, 9% poor, 24% fair, 49% good, 15% excellent.
Sorghum
- Headed: 82% — behind 84% last year and the five-year average of 89%.
- Coloring: 32% — equal to last year and the five-year average.
- Mature: 1% — equal to last year and the five-year average.
- Condition: 5% very poor, 20% poor, 40% fair, 32% good, 3% excellent.
Oats
- Harvested: 94% — behind 95% last year and the five-year average of 97%.
Pasture and Range
- Condition: 35% very poor, 29% poor, 27% fair, 9% 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.
