August 29, 2013

After three weeks of cool conditions, above normal temperatures for the week ending August 25 pushed crop development forward, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Significant rainfall of an inch or more was recorded at midweek over a large area of central and northeastern Nebraska while southern and western areas remained dry. The hot, windy weather stressed dryland crops in areas short on moisture.

Proso millet harvest was just underway in Panhandle counties and winter wheat producers were busy with preparations for fall seeding.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 16% very short, 36% short, 48% adequate, and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 26% very short, 40% short, 34% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Field Crops Report

All corn condition rated 5% very poor, 6% poor, 23% fair, 46% good, and 20% excellent. Irrigated corn conditions rated 81% good or excellent, compared to 76% average. Dryland corn conditions rated 44% good or excellent, compared to 59% average. Corn in dough was 82%, behind 98% last year and 90% average. Corn dented was 29%, well behind 80% last year and 52% average.

Soybean conditions rated 2% very poor, 4% poor, 22% fair, 56% good, and 16% excellent. Ninety-four percent of the crop was setting pods, near last year's 95% and equal to the average of 94%. Soybeans dropping leaves were 1%, behind 3% last year but equal to 1% average.

Sorghum conditions rated 9% very poor, 20% poor, 30% fair, 31% good, and 10% excellent. Sorghum heading was 89%, ahead of 82% last year but behind 91% average. Sorghum turning color was 8%, behind 13% last year and the average of 20%.

Proso millet was 1% harvested, which is average.

Oats harvested were 98%, slightly behind the average of 100%.

Dry bean conditions rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 18% fair, 65% good, and 16% excellent. Ninety-six percent of the crop was setting pods, behind 100% last year but near 97% average. Dry beans dropping leaves were 5%, ahead of the 2% average.

Alfalfa conditions were 5% very poor, 15% poor, 32% fair, 42% good, and 5% excellent. The third cutting of alfalfa was 79% complete, behind 95% last year but near 80% average. The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 2% complete, behind 24% last year and the average of 9%.

Pasture and range condition was 15% very poor, 19% poor, 35% fair, 30% good, and 1% excellent.