Nebraska’s soil moisture supplies continued to decline last week as mostly dry conditions allowed 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report. Corn and soybean development remained near historical averages, while pasture and range conditions continued to struggle, with 70% rated poor or very poor.
For the week ending Aug. 9, topsoil moisture supplies rated 31% very short, 33% short, 35% adequate and 1% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 34% very short, 32% short, 33% adequate and 1% surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn
- Silking: 93% — ahead of 92% last year but behind 96% for the five-year average.
- Dough: 55% — behind 56% last year and 58% for the five-year average.
- Dented: 13% — equal to 13% last year and slightly ahead of 12% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 5% very poor, 9% poor, 29% fair, 43% good, 14% excellent.
Soybean
- Blooming: 92% — ahead of 87% last year but behind 94% for the five-year average.
- Setting Pods: 75% — ahead of 69% last year but behind 76% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 3% very poor, 8% poor, 27% fair, 50% good, 12% excellent.
Sorghum
- Headed: 53% — behind 68% for last year and the five-year average.
- Coloring: 7% — slightly behind 8% last year and equal to 7% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 6% very poor, 10% poor, 38% fair, 41% good, 5% excellent.
Winter Wheat
- Harvest: 97% — ahead of 95% last year and 96% for the five-year average.
Oats
- Harvested: 89% — ahead of 85% last year and slightly behind 90% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 14% very poor, 41% poor, 33% fair, 11% good, 1% excellent.
Pasture and Range
- Condition: 44% very poor, 26% poor, 21% 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.
