September 23, 2013

Windy conditions and above normal temperatures prevailed across much of Nebraska last week, with rainfall limited to portions of southeast Nebraska where an inch or more was recorded, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Over one-third of the corn crop was considered mature and two-thirds of the soybeans were dropping leaves. Corn silage harvest continued as did dry bean harvest in western counties.

Topsoil moisture supplies rated 22% very short, 39% short, and 39% adequate with 0 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 31% very short, 42% short, and 27% adequate with 0 surplus.

Field Crops Report

All corn condition rated 7% very poor, 7% poor, 23% fair, 46% good, and 17% excellent. Irrigated corn conditions rated 81% good or excellent, compared to 75% average. Dryland corn conditions rated 37% good or excellent, compared to the average of 58%. Corn dented was 96%, behind 100% last year but near the average of 97%. Thirty-six percent of the state's corn crop had matured, behind 85% at this time last year and the average of 46%. Four percent of the corn crop had been harvested, behind 34% last year and the average of 10%.

Nationally, 22% of the corn crop had reached maturity (in the 18 states producing more than 90% of the crop in 2012). Only 7% of the national crop had been harvested, with Kansas and Missouri reporting the most of the Midwest states with 16% of their crops harvested. View the national crop report.

Soybean conditions rated 4% very poor, 9% poor, 28% fair, 48% good, and 11% excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves were 67%, near last year's 66% but ahead of the 50% average. Harvest was 3% complete, behind 17% last year but near the average of 5%.

Nationally, 47% of the crop had dropped its leaves.  View the national crop report.

Sorghum conditions rated 17% very poor, 21% poor, 23% fair, 36% good, and 3% excellent. Ninety-six percent of the sorghum crop had turned color, ahead of last year's 78% and the 86% average. Seventeen percent of the crop was mature, behind 31% last year and the average of 21%.

Winter wheat was 49% seeded, ahead of 43% last year but behind the 53% average. Wheat emergence was at 12%, ahead of 4% last year but behind the 15% average.

Proso millet was 75% harvested, ahead of 61% last year and the average of 43%.

Dry bean conditions rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 20% fair, 63% good, and 13% excellent. Dry beans dropping leaves were 97%, ahead of 86% last year and the average of 78%. Forty-nine percent of the crop was harvested, ahead of 40% last year and 40% average.

Alfalfa conditions were 7% very poor, 16% poor, 30% fair, 40% good, and 7% excellent. The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 58% complete, behind 82% last year and 68% average.

Pasture and range condition was 19% very poor, 21% poor, 36% fair, 23% good, and 1% excellent.