Drier weather allows farmers to get back in fields

Nebraska

For the week ending June 15, drier conditions across much of the state allowed producers to get back in the fields to finish planting, cut hay, and apply herbicides according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office, June 16.

Flooding and severe storms in parts of Nebraska have resulted in the replanting of acres that were under water. Producers with flooded areas may abandon planting/replanting until next season. With the break in weather, hay producers were making progress getting their first cutting of alfalfa harvested.

Temperatures averaged 4 degrees below normal and ranged from highs in the mid 90s in the southwest to lows in the 30s in the Panhandle. The East Central and Southeast Districts received the most rainfall and averaged over an inch of precipitation.

Corn conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 11 percent excellent, well below last year's 75 percent good or excellent rating. Warm, dry conditions are needed to promote growth and reduce yellowing.

Soybean conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 61 percent good, and 7 percent excellent, well below last year's 81 percent good or excellent condition. Soybeans planted were 91 percent complete, 10 days behind last year and the 99 percent average. Soybeans emerged was 76 percent, behind last year's 91 percent and a week behind the 92 percent average.

Wheat conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 7 percent excellent, well above last year's 56 percent good or excellent condition. Wheat headed climbed to 94 percent complete, still behind last year and the average of 98 percent. Wheat turning color was 13 percent, well behind last year's 57 percent and 10 days behind the 50 percent average.

Alfalfa conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 62 percent good, and 9 percent excellent, above last year's 67 percent good or excellent condition. First cutting was 43 percent complete, well behind last year's 79 percent and two weeks behind the 82 percent average.

Oat conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 0 percent poor, 9 percent fair, 79 percent good, and 12 percent excellent, well above last year's 80 percent good or excellent condition. Oats headed was 48 percent, behind last year's 65 percent and six days behind the 70 percent average.

Sorghum conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Sorghum planted was 88 percent complete, near last year's 89 percent but four days behind the 93 percent average. Sorghum emerged was 62 percent, behind last year's 68 percent and the 74 percent average.

Dry bean planting jumped to 74 percent complete, behind last year's 88 percent and the 83 percent average. Dry beans emerged was 26 percent, ahead of last year's 58 percent and 45 percent average.

Proso millet planted was 30 percent, behind last year's 55 percent and a week behind the 46 percent average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 60 percent good, and 15 percent excellent, near last year's 74 percent good or excellent condition. Pastures and rangelands are showing good growth and providing ample grazing.

6/23/08
4 Star NE\2-B

Date: 6/18/08

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