Weather hurts harvest progress

Nebraska

For the week ending Oct. 22, damp conditions and below normal temperatures slowed harvest progress of fall crops, according to the Nebraska Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistic Service, Oct. 23.

The cool, cloudy conditions slowed drydown of standing corn and kept wet soils from drying. Snow was recorded in portions of the northeast with reports of 1 to 3 inches.

Temperatures averaged 9 degrees below normal. The state saw highs in the mid 70s and lows in the upper teens. The South Central District received the most precipitation, picking up an average of over a half inch of rain.

Corn conditions rated 6 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 17 percent excellent. Irrigated fields rated 76 percent good or excellent, while dryland fields rated 28 percent. Corn harvest was 38 percent complete, eight days behind last year's 58 percent and one week behind the 49 percent average. Stalk integrity continues to be a concern in a number of counties. Soybean harvest was 82 percent complete, nine days behind last year's 94 and four days behind the average of 87 percent . Sorghum harvest was 42 percent complete, six days behind the 57 percent of last year and five days behind the average of 53 percent. Dry bean harvest was 96 percent complete, even with last year and ahead of the 93 percent average.

Winter Wheat conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 67 percent good, and 4 percent excellent, above a year ago. Ninety-three percent had emerged, ahead of last year's 89 percent but near the 92 percent average. Proso millet was 91 percent harvested, even with last year and average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 19 percent very poor, 26 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 16 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Producers were moving cattle to stalks as they became available.

Date: 10/25/06

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