September 19, 2007

 

USDA: Nearly half of Nebraska's corn crop is mature

 

 

Nearly half of Nebraska's corn crop is mature and harvest has begun, helped by cool, dry conditions, the US Department Of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service said in its latest report.

 

Frost was reported last week in low-lying areas in the northeast as farmers harvested crops, planted winter wheat and baled hay across the state, the service's Nebraska field office said in its weekly report.

 

Temperatures averaged 7 degrees Fahrenheit below normal, as the northwest district saw highs in the low 90s but the northeast district saw lows dip to freezing. All districts got at least traces of rain, but only the northeast averaged more than an inch.

 

Corn conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 50 percent good and 30 percent excellent, well above last year's 55 percent good or excellent rating. Irrigated fields rated 86 percent good or excellent, while 71 percent of dryland fields were in good or excellent condition, both better than levels at this time last year.

 

Ninety-eight percent of corn was in the dent stage, ahead of last year's 96 percent and the 93 percent average. Forty-six percent of corn was mature, ahead of last year's 38 percent and the 37 percent average. Four percent of corn was harvested, ahead of last year's three percent and even with the five-year average.

 

Soy conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 55 percent good and 27 percent excellent, much better than last year's 59 percent in good or excellent condition. Eighty-three percent of soy were turning colour, ahead of last year's 82 percent and the five-year average. Twenty-eight percent of soy had dropped leaves, behind last year's 31 percent and the 40 percent average. One percent of soy was harvested, ahead of last year, when none had been harvested, but behind the 2 percent average.

 

Alfalfa conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 52 percent good and 14 percent excellent. That is well above last year's 38 percent in good or excellent condition.

 

Third cutting of alfalfa was 99 percent complete, behind last year's 100 percent but ahead of the 97 percent average. Fourth cutting was 37 percent complete, behind last year's 49 percent and the 41 percent average.

 

Sorghum conditions rated 1 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 54 percent good and 31 percent excellent, much better than last year's 54 percent in good or excellent condition. Ninety-four percent of sorghum was turning colour, behind last year's 93 percent and the 83 percent average. Thirteen percent of sorghum was mature, behind last year's 21 percent.

 

Thirty-five percent of winter wheat was seeded, ahead of last year's 30 percent but behind the 37 percent average. Seven percent of winter wheat had emerged, ahead of last year's 4 percent but behind the 11 percent average.

 

Pasture and range conditions rated 6 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 44 percent good and 13 percent excellent, much better than last year, when 13 percent was in good or excellent condition.