Despite rain last week, Nebraska corn planting nearing end

News

Despite rain last week, Nebraska corn planting nearing end

Rain across many parts of Nebraska slowed planting last week but farmers are almost finished putting corn in the ground.

The latest crop progress report from the USDA says 95 percent of the corn crop is in, one percent behind last year and 6 percent ahead of the five-year average.

Soybeans are 85 percent complete, two percent behind last year but nearly 20 percent ahead of the five-year average.

Jason Penke of Oakland tells Brownfield his beans are almost in. “A few more long nights of running and we should wrap up in a day or so.”

Topsoil moisture is 80 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus while subsoil moisture is 70 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Penke says in Northeast Nebraska, good soil conditions are hit or miss. “We have decent moisture I would say but you don’t have to go very far to have that change in a hurry.  We’re kind of sitting in small pocket where we’re ok but there are lot of guys who have beans in dry dirt who are hoping for moisture to get them up and out of dry ground.”

Winter wheat condition is 44 percent good to excellent.

Sorghum planted is 28 percent complete compared to 52 percent last year and the five-year average of 35 percent.

Oats condition is 53 percent good to excellent with 94 percent of the crop emerged.

Eleven percent of dry edible beans have been planted.

Pasture and range conditions rated 52 percent fair and 37 percent good to excellent.

.