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Added moisture improves soil conditionsNebraska For the week ending Aug. 17, below normal temperatures and rains across the majority of the state improved soil moisture profiles and reduced stress on crops, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office, Aug. 18. The rains provided enough moisture in some areas to shut down irrigation pumps for a few days. With the recent rainfall the Northwest District is now 2 percent above normal precipitation since April 1. Producers kept busy this week by applying pesticides, irrigating, haying, and preparing for fall crop planting. Temperatures averaged 5 degrees below normal across the state. High temperatures around the state hovered near 90 and lows were in the mid to lower 50s. The entire state averaged a half inch of precipitation or more, with the Panhandle and North Central Districts receiving around 2 inches of moisture. Corn conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 20 percent excellent, just below last year's 79 percent good or excellent rating. Irrigated fields rated 78 percent good or excellent well below last year, while dryland fields rated 72 percent, above year ago levels. Corn in the dough stage was 67 percent, behind last year's 85 percent and four days behind the 80 percent average. Corn in the dent stage was 19 percent, behind last year's 40 percent and 30 percent average. Soybean conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 60 percent good, and 15 percent excellent, near last year's 74 percent good or excellent condition. Soybeans blooming were 96 percent, behind last year and the average of 99 percent. Soybeans setting pods was 77 percent, behind last year's 90 percent and six days behind the 91 percent average. Alfalfa conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 12 percent excellent, above last year's 60 percent good or excellent condition. Third cutting was 51 percent complete, behind last year's 62 percent and a week behind the 66 percent average. Oats harvested was 95 percent, behind last year's 99 percent and the average of 98 percent. Sorghum conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 19 percent excellent, below last year's 80 percent good or excellent condition. Sorghum headed was 72 percent, behind last year's 89 percent and six days behind the 83 percent average. Sorghum turning color was 1 percent, behind last year's 10 percent and 12 percent average. Dry bean conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 9 percent excellent, well below last year's 71 percent good or excellent condition. Dry beans setting pods were 91 percent, well ahead of last year's 71 percent and 78 percent average. Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 13 percent excellent, well above last year's 56 percent good or excellent condition. 8/25/08 Date: 8/20/08 Advertisement
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