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Precipitation, temps limit plantingNebraska For the week ending May 11, widespread precipitation and below normal temperatures occurred over the state limiting planting progress and slowing crop and pasture development, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office, May 12. Storms in parts of Nebraska produced damaging wind and hail, while heavy rains caused lowland flooding in portions of the southeast. Corn planting advanced but was interrupted again this week because of wet weather. A large number of sugarbeet acres have been replanted after freezing temperatures damaged the crop. For the fifth week out of the last six, below normal temperatures and wet weather covered much of the state. Rainfall accumulations averaged over a half inch in the Panhandle to over 2 inches in the southeastern part of the state. Temperatures averaged 5 degrees below normal across Nebraska and ranged from highs in the low 80s to below freezing in most districts. Corn planting made progress and was 55 percent complete. This is still well behind last year's 64 percent and five days behind the average of 71 percent. Corn emerged was 5 percent, behind the 23 percent of last year and nine days behind the average of 24 percent. Soybean planting was 6 percent complete, behind last year's 13 percent and the five-year average of 19 percent. Wheat conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 9 percent excellent, above last year's 61 percent good or excellent condition. Wheat jointed was 44 percent, behind the 80 percent of last year and 11 days behind the average of 78 percent. Although some leaf burn was evident, damage from freezing temperatures was expected to be minimal. Alfalfa conditions rated 1 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 68 percent good, and 9 percent excellent, well above last year's 47 percent good or excellent condition. Oats planted was 94 percent complete, near the 95 percent of last year and behind the average of 98 percent. Oats emerged was 66 percent, well behind last year's 79 percent and the five year average of 86 percent. Sorghum planting was just underway and was 1 percent complete, 8 days behind last year and the average of 7 percent. Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 63 percent good, and 4 percent excellent, below last year. The rain provided additional moisture for pastures, but the cool temperatures continued to slow development. Many producers have delayed moving cattle to pastures in order to allow for more growth. 5/19/08 Date: 5/14/08
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