After cooler temperatures for the first three weeks of May, warmer conditions began to prevail, allowing for good crop development, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.

 

According to the USDA, accumulated growing degree days moved closer to normal levels this past week and aided the emergence and condition of crops.

 

For Grand Island, May was slightly on the cooler side with the average daily temperature 1.5 degrees below normal, though part of May had temperatures in the 80s. Moisture for May in Grand Island was 4.24 inches, which is slightly (0.17 of an inch) above the monthly average.

 

Hastings was 2.5 degrees below the average daily temperature for May, with precipitation (5.95 inches) 1.36 inches above normal.

 

Kearney was 1 degree below normal temperature-wise for May and 0.76 of an inch below the monthly precipitation average for the month at 3.36 inches. Temperatures were also on the cooler side in Ord and precipitation at 2.32 inches was 1.46 inches below the month average for May. Aurora was also on the cooler side as the daily average temperature for the month was 1.5 degrees below normal and precipitation, at 3.54 inches, was 1.14 inches below normal.

 

The USDA rated corn condition at 84% good or excellent, with corn planting at 99% complete statewide. Corn emerged was 79% complete, six days behind last year's 92% and four days behind the 88% average.

 

Soy planting was 85% complete, six days behind last year's 96 and slightly behind the 86% average, according to the USDA, with 43% of the crop emerged, behind last year's 68% and the 52% average.

 

The state wheat crop rated 77% good or excellent, above the 75% good or excellent of last year and the 52% average. Wheat jointed was at 88%, behind last year's 100% and 99% average. Wheat headed was 33% complete, a week behind last year's 62% and the 62% average. Wheat conditions were the furthest in development in the South Central District, though disease concerns were noted in some counties, according to the USDA.

 

Good grass growth is also lending itself to good pasture and range conditions for livestock. The USDA reported that 85% of Nebraska's pasture and range conditions rated either good or excellent, which was above last year's 74% good and excellent and the 60% average.

 

With the recent moisture, good growth will continue, with daytime temperatures in the low 80s, though conditions could be breezy with wind gusts as high as 30 mph.