Nebraska Ag Connection - Snow in Western, Central Nebraska Slows Harvest

Nebraska Ag News Headlines

Snow in Western, Central Nebraska Slows Harvest
Nebraska Ag Connection - 10/27/2009

For the week ending Sunday, little harvest progress was made due to wet, cool conditions, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Snow fell the last half of the week in western and central counties. In addition, widespread rain and poor drying conditions limited the number of days suitable for field work. Corn harvest is now over three weeks behind the five-year average and the slowest progress since 1982. Soybean harvest is similar to 2007 at eleven days behind the average.

Temperatures averaged 5 degrees below normal across the state and ranged from highs in the mid 70's to lows in the upper 20's. Precipitation occurred statewide with the Northeast, Southwest and South Central Districts receiving two inches or more.

Corn conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 12 fair, 53 good, and 27 excellent, above last year's 76 percent good or excellent rating. Irrigated fields rated 83 percent good or excellent while dryland fields rated 76, both above year ago levels. Corn mature was 87, near last year's 86 but behind the average of 97. Corn harvested was 15 percent complete, behind last year's 21 and 23 days behind the 47 average. Harvest progress is furthest along in southern counties; however, no district has reached 25 percent harvested.

Soybean harvest was 63 percent complete, behind last year's 81 and eleven days behind the 85 average.

Sorghum conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 21 fair, 55 good, and 21 excellent, near last year's 77 percent good or excellent condition. Sorghum mature was 88, well ahead of last year's 70 but behind the average of 93. Sorghum harvested was 8 percent complete, behind last year's 11 and three weeks behind the 43 average.

Winter wheat conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 2 poor, 31 fair, 60 good, and 6 excellent, below last year's 76 percent good or excellent. Winter wheat emerged was 86 percent, behind last year's 90 and the 93 average.

Dry beans harvested were 93 percent complete, behind last year's 100 and the 96 average.

Proso millet harvest was 65 percent complete, well behind last year's 95 and over three weeks behind the 93 average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 22 fair, 57 good, and 13 excellent, above last year's 62 percent good or excellent condition.