September 28, 2007

About 9% of the state's corn crop had been harvested, as of Sept. 23, according to a report from the Nebraska Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This compared with 6% harvested by this time last year and an average of 8%.Corn condition was rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 13% fair, 52% good and 30% excellent, well above last year's 61% good or excellent rating. Mature corn was 71%, ahead of last year's 68% and the average of 61%.

Soybean harvest was at 3%, even with last year but behind the 9% average. Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 14% fair, 57% good and 26% excellent, well above last year's 60% good or excellent condition. About 94% of the soybeans had turned color, even with last year and near the 95% average. Fifty-nine percent of soybeans had dropped their leaves, behind last year's 65% and the average of 70%.

Winter wheat seeded was 59%, ahead of last year's 53% but behind the 62% average. About 23% of next year's crop had emerged, ahead of last year's 16%, but behind the 28% average.

Alfalfa conditions rated 3% very poor, 8% poor, 21% fair, 54% good and 14% excellent, well above last year's 41% good or excellent condition. Fourth cutting was 62% complete, behind last year's 70% but ahead of the 61% average.

Sorghum harvest had just started at 1% compled, behind last year's 3% and the average of 5%. Conditions rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 14% fair, 51% good and 34% excellent, well above last year's 55% good or excellent condition. Sorghum turning color was 97%, behind last year's 99% but ahead of the 93% average. Mature sorghum was 42%, behind last year's 50%.

Dry bean conditions rated 0% very poor, 5% poor, 26% fair, 58% good and 11% excellent, above last year's 62% good or excellent condition. Dry beans dropping leaves was 98%, well ahead of last year's 67% and 71% average.Dry beans harvested was 64%, well ahead of last year's 26% and 33% average.

Proso millet harvested was 62%. Ahead of last year's 32% and 52% average.