Temperatures averaged four to eight degrees above normal across most of Nebraska, except for the Panhandle, where temperatures were near normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service report for the week ending June 18.
Rainfall averaged one to two inches in eastern Nebraska and the northwest Panhandle. The rest of the state remained dry.
Topsoil moisture supplies were estmated at 6% very short, 31% short, 61% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 3%% very short, 22% short, 74% adequate, and 1% surplus.
Crop Condition
- Nebraska corn condition rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 18% fair, 66% good & 12% excellent, similar to last week.
- Nationally corn condition was rated 2% very poor, 6% poor, 25% fair, 55% good, and 12% excellent.
- Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 23% fair, 65% good, and 7% excellent. Soybeans emerged was at 96%, near 94% last year and the five-year average of 93%.
- Nationally, soybean condition was rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 26% fair, 57% good, and 10% excellent.
- Winter wheat condition rated 3% very poor, 10% poor, 36% fair, 41% good, and 10% excellent. Winter wheat coloring was 76%, ahead of 58% last year, and well ahead of 52% average. Four percent of the wheat crop was mature.
- Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 0% poor, 36% fair, 56% good, and 8% excellent. Sorghum planted was at 98%, equal to last year, and near the five-year average of 97%. Emerged was 91%, ahead of 83% last year and the average of 76%. Two percent of the crop had headed, near 0% for both last year and the average.
- Oat condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 31% fair, 59% good, and 7% excellent. Ninety-four percent had headed, well ahead of 74% last year and the average of 69%. Twenty percent was coloring.
- Alfalfa condition rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 27% fair, 60% good, and 7% excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was 89% complete, near 93% last year, but ahead of the five-year average of 80%. Second cutting was at 6%.
- Ninety percent of the dry edible bean crop had been planted, slightly behind last year's 95%, but near the average of 89%. Emerged was at 55%, behind 60% last year, and near the average of 57%.
- Seventy-five percent of the proso millet crop was planted, ahead of 61% last year and 63% average.