Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending August 23, 2015.
For the week ending August 23, 2015, rainfall of an inch or more occurred during the first half of the week and covered much of the eastern third of Nebraska, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. However, the rain missed much of the southwest as well as south central counties. Temperatures averaged well below normal, lessening stress on livestock and dryland crops. There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork.
Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 28 short, 63 adequate, and 4 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 24 short, 69 adequate, and 2 surplus.
Field Crops Report: Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 18 fair, 57 good, and 20 excellent. Corn dough was at 85 percent, near 87 last year and the five-year average of 89. Dented was at 37 percent, near 41 last year, but behind 46 average.
Sorghum condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 26 fair, 60 good, and 13 excellent. Sorghum headed was at 98 percent, near 96 last year, but ahead of 90 average. Coloring was at 29 percent, behind 47 last year, but ahead of 23 average.
Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 20 fair, 57 good, and 17 excellent. Soybeans setting pods was at 91 percent, near 94 last year and 93 average. Dropping leaves was at 5 percent, ahead of 0 last year and 1 average.
Oats harvested was at 97 percent, near 100 last year and 99 average.
Alfalfa condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 28 fair, 54 good, and 13 excellent. Alfalfa third cutting was at 86 percent, ahead of 80 last year and 81 average. Fourth cutting was at 22 percent, well ahead of 2 last year and ahead of 7 average.
Dry edible beans condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 poor, 20 fair, 67 good, and 9 excellent. Dry edible beans setting pods was at 95 percent, ahead of 89 last year, but equal to the average. Dropping leaves was at 10 percent, ahead of 3 last year and 2 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture and range conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 6 poor, 24 fair, 55 good, and 12 excellent.
Stock water supplies rated 2 percent very short, 7 short, 90 adequate, and 1 surplus.
