Nebraska Ag Connection - Dry Weather Enables Nebraska Farmers to Get in Fields

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Dry Weather Enables Nebraska Farmers to Get in Fields
Nebraska Ag Connection - 05/24/2016

For the week ending Sunday, dry conditions allowed producers to get back into fields and resume spring planting activities, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rain was experienced late in the week with an inch or more common in central and north central counties. Temperatures averaged two to six degrees below normal. Corn planting was winding up with producers focused on soybean acres. The first cutting of alfalfa was underway, with insect pressure noted in some fields. Wheat diseases were a concern in untreated fields. There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 0 percent very short, 3 short, 81 adequate, and 16 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 0 percent very short, 3 short, 85 adequate, and 12 surplus.

Corn planted was at 90 percent, equal to last year, and near the five-year average of 93. Emerged was at 51 percent, behind 68 last year and 62 average.

Sorghum planted was at 30 percent, behind 47 last year and 40 average.

Soybeans planted was at 54 percent, equal to last year, but behind 67 average. Emerged was at 13 percent, near 17 last year, but behind 25 average.

Winter wheat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 5 poor, 29 fair, 55 good, and 11 excellent. Winter wheat jointed was at 94 percent, equal to last year, but ahead of 83 average. Headed was at 43 percent, ahead of 35 last year and 31 average.

Oats condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 21 fair, 73 good, and 5 excellent. Oats planted was at 96 percent, near 100 last year and 99 average. Emerged was at 90 percent, behind 97 last year, but near 92 average. Jointed was at 46 percent, near 49 last year. Headed was at 7 percent, ahead of 1 last year, but near 4 average.

Alfalfa condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 9 fair, 75 good, and 15 excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was at 13 percent, ahead of 8 last year, but near 17 average.

Dry edible beans planted was at 2 percent, equal to last year, but behind 7 average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 15 fair, 72 good, and 13 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 0 percent very short, 2 short, 92 adequate, and 6 surplus.

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