For the week ending September 27, 2015, temperatures averaged six to eight degrees above normal with an inch or more of rain common across a wide swath of central and eastern Nebraska, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Silage cutting was coming to a close. Soybean harvest gained momentum but was slowed due to wet soil conditions.
Seed and high moisture corn harvests continued as soils dried. Dry conditions in many western counties allowed winter wheat seeding to progress, as did dry bean and millet harvests. There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 24 short, 63 adequate, and 6 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 25 short, 66 adequate, and 3 surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 19 fair, 54 good, and 20 excellent. Corn dented was at 96 percent, near 97 last year and 99 for the five-year average. Mature was at 65 percent, near 61 last year and 69 average. Harvested was at 10 percent, near 6 last year, but behind 16 average.
Sorghum condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 25 fair, 57 good, and 17 excellent. Sorghum coloring was at 96 percent, near 97 last year and 94 average. Mature was at 59 percent, near 55 last year, but ahead of 47 average. Harvested was at 2 percent, equal to last year and near 3 average.
Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 20 fair, 56 good, and 18 excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was at 78 percent, ahead of 73 last year, but near 74 average. Harvested was at 13 percent, ahead of 5 last year, but near 14 average.
Winter wheat planted was at 69 percent, behind 75 last year, but near 67 average. Winter wheat emerged was at 25 percent, behind 38 last near, but near 27 average.
Alfalfa condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 28 fair, 55 good, and 12 excellent. Alfalfa fourth cutting was at 90 percent, ahead of 75 last year and 79 average.
Dry edible beans condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 poor, 21 fair, 68 good, and 7 excellent. Dry edible beans harvested was at 68 percent, ahead of 61 last year, but near 64 average.
Proso millet harvested was at 87 percent, ahead of 71 last year and well ahead of 66 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture and range conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 8 poor, 27 fair, 55 good, and 7 excellent.
Stock water supplies rated 2 percent very short, 8 short, 88 adequate, and 2 surplus.
