June 15, 2010

For the week ending June 13, heavy rain halted fieldwork and caused low land flooding in parts of central and northeast Nebraska, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall totals of 5 to 6 inches were common for the week in central and northeastern counties, with extremes of more than 10 inches in a few locations. This delayed the finish of spring planting activities and made drydown of cut hay next to impossible. Dry conditions are needed to access fields and improve lot conditions for feedlot animals.

• Corn condition rated 0% very poor, 2% poor, 17% fair, 65% good, and 16% excellent. Corn emergence was 98% complete, behind last year’s 100% and ahead of 99%average. Producers are anxious to get post emergence herbicides applied before corn is too high. Loss of nitrogen in waterlogged soils is also a concern.
• Soybean planting moved ahead slowly to 96% complete, behind last year’s 100% and the 97% average. Soybeans emerged was 84%, behind last year’s 97% and 89% average.
• Sorghum planting was 82% complete, behind last year’s 94% and the 90% average. Sorghum emerged was 54% complete, behind last year’s 70% and 67% average.
• Wheat conditions rated 5% poor, 21% fair, 62% good, and 12% excellent, near 74% good or excellent last year but well above 51% average. Wheat headed was at 86%, behind last year’s 92% and 94% average. Wheat turning color was 14% complete, same as last year’s 14% but six days behind 31% average.
• Oat condition rated 1% poor, 9% fair, 69% good, and 21% excellent. Oats headed was 50% complete, behind last year’s 53% and 56% average.
• Dry beans planted showed little change and were 69% complete, near last year’s 67% but behind 75% average. Acreage emerged was 22%, behind both 39% last year and 34% average.
• Alfalfa rated 2% poor, 13% fair, 72% good, and 13% excellent. Conditions were above last year’s 69% good or excellent condition and the 59% average. First cutting of alfalfa was 65% complete, near 62% last year and 66% average. Cut fields have not dried down due to persistent rains and some crop losses are expected. Fields yet standing are in full bloom with quality losses possible.
• Wild hay conditions rated 1% poor, 9% fair, 77% good, and13% excellent.