Wetter conditions improved soil moisture across Nebraska but reduced fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 20, as corn and soybean harvests began slightly ahead of last year but remained behind their five-year averages. Producers had 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork, down nearly two days from the previous week.
Corn harvest reached 7%, with 54% of the crop mature, while soybean harvest reached 3% and 60% of the crop was dropping leaves. Winter wheat planting remained well behind average at 22%, and pasture and range conditions continued to reflect moisture stress, with 57% rated poor or very poor.
Topsoil moisture supplies rated 14% very short, 29% short, 53% adequate and 4% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 24% very short, 30% short, 45% adequate and 1% surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn
- Dented: 94% — ahead of 87% last year and 93% for the five-year average.
- Mature: 54% — ahead of 44% last year but behind 56% for the five-year average.
- Harvested: 7% — ahead of 5% last year but behind 8% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 7% very poor, 11% poor, 30% fair, 38% good, 14% excellent.
Soybean
- Dropping leaves: 60% — ahead of 57% last year but behind 69% for the five-year average.
- Harvested: 3% — ahead of 2% last year but behind 6% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 3% very poor, 8% poor, 25% fair, 49% good, 15% excellent.
Source : unl.edu