Rains cause harvest delays

Nebraska

For the week ending Oct. 12, widespread rain caused harvest delays in many areas but by Oct. 12 soybean harvest was nearing two-thirds complete, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office, Oct. 14.

Corn harvest made slow progress because of high grain moisture levels. In the west, producers were finishing up dry bean and millet harvest.

Temperatures averaged 1 degree above normal across the state with highs reaching 80 in the Southeast and East Central Districts while the Panhandle had lows below the freezing mark. The majority of the state received one to two inches of rainfall, with the Panhandle and Southeastern counties recording near half an inch.

Corn conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 22 percent excellent, below last year's 81 percent good or excellent rating. Irrigated fields rated 80 percent good or excellent while dryland fields rated 69 percent, both below year ago levels. Corn mature was 79 percent, well behind last year's 95 percent and 93 percent average. Corn harvested was 14 percent, behind last year's 34 percent and twelve days behind the 29 percent average.

Soybean conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 14 percent excellent, well below last year's 82 percent good or excellent condition. Soybeans dropping leaves were 97 percent, near last year and average of 99 percent. Soybeans harvested were 62 percent, well ahead of last year's 47 percent but one day behind the 66 percent average.

Alfalfa fourth cutting was 85 percent complete, even with last year and near the 86 percent average.

Sorghum conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 23 percent excellent, below last year's 84 percent good or excellent condition. Sorghum mature was 60 percent, well behind last year's 95 percent and 91 percent average. Sorghum harvested was 5 percent, behind last year's 21 percent and fifteen days behind the 26 percent average.

Dry bean harvest neared completion and was 95 percent, even with last year and well ahead of the 83 percent average. Winter wheat seeded was 92 percent, behind last year's 95 percent and 94 percent average. Winter wheat emerged was 77 percent, ahead of last year's 73 percent and near the 76 percent average. Rainfall during the week should assist the establishment of fall stands.

Proso millet harvest also neared completion and was 86 percent, well behind last year's 97 percent but ahead of the 82 percent average.

Pasture and range conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 8 percent excellent, near last year's 60 percent good or excellent condition. Cattle were beginning to be moved to stalk fields as they become available.

10/20/08
4 Star NE\10-B

Date: 10/15/08

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