LINCOLN, Neb. - For the week ending Aug. 4, 2019, there were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 21 short, 69 adequate, and 5 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 14 short, 75 adequate, and 7 surplus.

Field Crops Report: 

Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 23 fair, 58 good, and 13 excellent. Corn silking was 85 percent, behind 94 last year and 95 for the five-year average. Dough was 27 percent, well behind 54 last year, and behind 40 average. 

Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 25 fair, 57 good, and 13 excellent. Soybeans blooming was 78 percent, behind 92 last year and 91 average. Setting pods was 51 percent, behind 66 last year and 62 average. 

Winter wheat harvested was 75 percent, behind 93 last year, and well behind 96 average. 

Sorghum condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 16 fair, 73 good, and 10 excellent. Sorghum headed was 43 percent, well behind 75 last year, and behind 61 average. Coloring was 4 percent, near 5 last year and 6 average.

Oats harvested was 75 percent, well behind 96 last year, and behind 86 average. 

Dry edible bean condition rated 2 percent very poor, 9 poor, 32 fair, 49 good, and 8 excellent. Dry edible beans blooming was 60 percent. Setting pods was 23 percent.

Pasture and
Range Report: 

Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 2 poor, 15 fair, 67 good, and 15 excellent.

Nebraska wheat
crop report

The USDA Crop Progress Report for the week ending August 4, 2019 indicates topsoil moisture supplies rated at 5 percent very short, 21 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 14 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus. Winter wheat harvested was 55 percent, well behind last year’s 93 percent and the 96 percent average.

Nebraska's Northern Panhandle region continues to deal with weather hindering harvest, as evidenced by another half  inch of rain in the area last night. Farmers are slowly getting through the fields and estimates are that harvest is only one-third completed in the area. Test weights are suffering from the long, wet harvest season, dropping this week to a 59 pound average. Protein levels are still averaging 10.5 through most of the region, with the exception of higher protein levels in some northern parts of the Northern Panhandle region, which are coming in at 12.

Producers in the southern panhandle are also dealing with rainy conditions, which is continuing to slow down harvest momentum. Because of varying weather conditions, harvest reports throughout the area are also varied. Farmers estimate that harvest is 75 – 90 percent complete in the area, but as harvest slowly progresses test weights are ranging from 54 – 62 pounds, with protein levels averaging in the tens. Yields also have been very inconsistent, ranging anywhere from 40 to 80 bushels per acre, with one report even as high as 100 bpa. Producers are reporting that harvest could be almost wrapped-up with two or three good dry days in the field.

Harvest in South Central Nebraska is for the most part complete, with a handful of producers hoping to finish up early this week. Test weights in the area average 60 pounds and protein levels have averaged 10 in the area. The area has seen widely varying yields, as in other regions of the state. 

Harvest is complete in the Southwest region of the state. Overall, test weights seemed to be good, ranging from 60-64 pounds. Protein levels varied throughout the region, with an average level of 10. Yields varied greatly throughout the area.