For the week ending August 10, 2014, rain beginning at mid-week and continuing into the weekend covered much of the state with 1 to 2 inches of precipitation, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This lowered irrigation demands and supported dryland crops and pastures. Hail was reported in a number of central areas over the weekend. Wheat harvest was nearly complete, with only scattered fields remaining. The wet conditions again made hay harvest a challenge. The number of days considered suitable for fieldwork were 5.2. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 8 percent very short, 30 short, 59 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 11 percent very short, 31 short, 58 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Field Crops Report: Winter wheat harvested was 98 percent, near 97 last year and 99 for the five-year average.
Corn conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 6 poor, 20 fair, 51 good, and 20 excellent. Corn silking was 99 percent, near 98 last year and average. Corn dough was 62 percent, well ahead of 32 last year and 52 average. Corn dented was 6 percent, ahead of 1 last year, but behind 14 average.
Soybean conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 22 fair, 54 good, and 16 excellent. Soybeans blooming was 96 percent, near 95 last year and the average. Soybean setting pods was 80 percent, ahead of 69 last year and 71 average.
Sorghum conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 32 fair, 41 good, and 20 excellent. Sorghum headed was 79 percent, well ahead of 55 last year and 64 average. Sorghum coloring was 26 percent, well ahead of 0 last year and 1 average.
Oats harvested was 95 percent, ahead of 91 last year and equal to the average.
Dry bean conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 1 poor, 15 fair, 61 good, and 20 excellent. Dry beans blooming was 86 percent, near 84 last year, but behind 93 average. Dry beans setting pods was 68 percent, behind 75 last year, but near 67 average.
Alfalfa hay conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 7 poor, 30 fair, 52 good, and 9 excellent. Alfalfa hay second cutting was 97 percent complete, ahead of 91 last year, but equal to the average. Alfalfa hay third cutting was 58 percent complete, well ahead of 30 last year and 51 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture and range conditions rated 6 percent very poor, 11 poor, 32 fair, 44 good, and 7 excellent.
Stock water supplies rated 2 percent very short, 9 short, 88 adequate, and 1 surplus.
For more information: Nebraska Crop Weather
