8/15/2012 11:21:21 AM

Nebraska Weather and Crops

Agricultural Summary: For the week ending August 12, 2012, temperatures moderated; however, with only limited precipitation, crop conditions continued to decline, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Drought damaged corn fields continue to be chopped for silage or baled for hay. A few fields of corn were harvested for grain in some southeastern counties, but progress is limited and not widespread. Irrigation remains active as crop progress advances. Fields are being prepared for seeding of winter wheat in the West. Cattle are being removed from pastures and receiving supplemental feed.

Weather Summary: Light rain fell in all districts with amounts averaging less than one third of an inch. A few isolated pockets in the Central and East Central Districts received over one inch of rainfall. Temperatures were 1 degree above normal in the Northwest and Southwest Districts while averaging 2 degrees below normal for the rest of the state. Highs reached triple digits in many areas and lows were mostly in the low 50’s.

Field Crops Report: Corn in the dough stage was 86 percent, compared to 51 last year and 11 days ahead of 58 average. Corn in the dent stage reached 51 percent, ahead of 7 last year and 14 average. Corn that has reached maturity was 6 percent, compared to 0 last year and average. Corn conditions rated 22 percent very poor, 19 poor, 28 fair, 27 good, and 4 excellent, well below 76 percent good to excellent last year and 77 average. Irrigated corn conditions rated 51 percent good to excellent and dryland corn rated 2.

Soybeans blooming were 97 percent, ahead of 93 last year but near 96 average. Soybeans setting pods were 83 percent, ahead of 66 last year and 74 average. Soybeans turning color were at 2 percent, compared to 0 last year and average. Soybean conditions rated 21 percent very poor, 25 poor, 36 fair, 17 good, and 1 excellent, well below last year’s 78 percent good to excellent and 77 average.

Sorghum headed was 64 percent, ahead of 68 last year and 69 average. Sorghum turning color was 1 percent, compared to 1 last year and 3 average. Sorghum conditions rated 13 percent very poor, 28 poor, 45 fair, 14 good, and 0 excellent, well below last year’s 79 percent good to excellent and 78 average.

The third cutting of alfalfa was 91 percent complete compared to 46 last year and 50 average. The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 10 percent complete compared to 0 last year and average. Alfalfa conditions rated 42 percent very poor, 26 poor, 18 fair, 13 good, and 1 excellent, well below 78 percent good to excellent last year and 69 average.

Dry beans blooming were 97 percent, ahead of 96 last year and average. Dry beans setting pods were 75 percent, ahead of 68 last year and average. Dry bean conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 8 poor, 39 fair, 45 good, and 6 excellent, well below 65 percent good to excellent last year and 67 average.

Wild hay harvest was 94 percent complete, ahead of 80 last year and 50 average.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture and range conditions rated 59 percent very poor, 33 poor, 7 fair, 1 good, and 0 excellent, well below 75 percent good to excellent last year and 72 average.