September 9, 2013

Above normal temperatures for the third week in a row continued to draw down soil moisture reserves and stress rainfed crops across Nebraska, according to a USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service report for the week ending Septemer 8. There was liited rainfall in central and Panhandle counties, with most of Nebraska remaining dry. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 25% very short, 44% short, 31% adequate, and 0 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 32% very short, 43% short, 25% adequate, and 0 surplus.

The first fields of seed corn were being harvested, dryland silage was being cut, and dry beans were being harvested in western Nebraska.

Field Crop Conditions

• All corn condition rated 7% very poor, 8% poor, 23% fair, 43% good, and 19% excellent. Irrigated corn conditions rated 81% good or excellent, compared to 75% average. Dryland corn conditions rated 35% good or excellent, compared to 59% average. Corn in dough was 98%, behind 100% last year but equal to 98% average. Corn dented was 72%, behind 97% last year and 82% average. Five percent of the corn crop was mature, behind 52% last year and the average of 17%.
   
• Soybean conditions rated 4% very poor, 8% poor, 27% fair, 48% good, and 13% excellent. Sixteen percent of soybean plants were dropping leaves, behind 22% last year but ahead of the average of 9%.
   
• Sorghum conditions rated 16% very poor, 18% poor, 25% fair, 38% good, and 3% excellent. Sorghum turning color was 65%, ahead of 48% last year and 59% average.
   
• Winter wheat was 6% planted, near 7% last year but behind 13% average.
   
• Proso millet was 47% harvested, ahead of 16% last year and 12% average.
   
• Dry bean conditions rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 21% fair, 63% good, and 13% excellent. Approximately 80% of the crop has dropped its leaves, ahead of 32% last year and the average of 36%. Seventeen percent of the crop was harvested, ahead of 4% last year and the average of 7%.
   
• Alfalfa conditions were 5% very poor, 13% poor, 33% fair, 43% good, and 6% excellent. The third cutting of alfalfa was 95% complete, behind 100% last year but near 93% average. The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 13% complete, behind 70% last year and the average of 31%.
   
• Pasture and range condition was 18% very poor, 21% poor, 31% fair, 29% good, and 1% excellent.