August 31, 2015

For the week ending Aug. 30 eastern Nebraska saw significant rainfall while in western Nebraska, dryland crops and pastures were showing stress and irrigation was in full use.

Final hay harvest was active, as was preparation for winter wheat planting in the west. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6% very short, 29% short, 61% adequate, and 4% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6% very short, 25% short, 67% adequate, and 2% surplus.

Field Crops Report

Corn condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 18% fair, 58% good, and 19% excellent. Corn dough was at 91%, near 93% last year and the five-year average of 95%. Dented was at 59%, equal to last year, but behind the average of 64%. Mature was at 1%, behind 7% last year and the average of 8%.
Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 1% poor, 26% fair, 59% good, and 14% excellent. Sorghum coloring was at 43%, well behind 68% last year, but near 42% average.
Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 20% fair, 57% good, and 17% excellent. Soybeans setting pods was at 96%, near 99% last year and the average of 98%. Dropping leaves was at 10%, ahead of 4% last year and 3% average.
Alfalfa condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 28% fair, 54% good, and 13% excellent. Alfalfa third cutting was at 94%, ahead of 89% last year and the average of 88%. Fourth cutting was at 29%, ahead of 17% for both last year and the average.
Dry edible beans condition rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 20% fair, 67% good, and 9% excellent. Dropping leaves was at 33%, near 34% last year, but ahead of the average of 20%.
Pasture and range conditions rated 3% very poor, 6% poor, 25% fair, 55% good, and 11% excellent.