Crop development continued near or ahead of historical averages for several major Nebraska crops during the week, with soybean emergence nearly complete and blooming well ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Sorghum planting also neared completion. Despite generally favorable progress in row crops, persistent moisture deficits remained a concern, particularly at the subsoil level, where more than half of Nebraska’s acreage was rated short to very short. Dry conditions continued to take a toll on winter wheat, oats and pastureland, with winter wheat and pasture and range conditions remaining among the poorest-rated categories statewide.
For the week ending June 22, 2026, there were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 22% very short, 24% short, 43% adequate and 11% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 30% very short, 29% short, 34% adequate and 7% surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn
- Condition: 2% very poor, 5% poor, 36% fair, 41% good, 16% excellent.
Soybean
- Emerged: 97% — slightly ahead of 95% last year and the five-year average.
- Blooming: 12% — ahead of 1% last year and 4% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 1% very poor, 6% poor, 34% fair, 43% good, 16% excellent.
Sorghum
- Planted: 89% — near 90% last year and 95% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 1% very poor, 8% poor, 56% fair, 28% good, 7% excellent.
Winter Wheat
- Condition: 57% very poor, 26% poor, 12% fair, 5% good, 0% excellent.
Oats
- Headed: 72% — behind 74% last year and 78% for the five-year average.
- Condition: 22% very poor, 24% poor, 39% fair, 15% good, 0% excellent.
Pasture and Range:
- Condition: 45% very poor, 28% poor, 21% fair, 6% good, 0% excellent.
Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency, Nebraska Extension, and other reporters across the state.
Source : unl.edu