The latest USDA Crop Progress report shows planting is nearing completion across Nebraska and Kansas, but dryness continues to shape the story as corn and soybean emergence advances and pasture conditions remain under pressure.
Nebraska: Planting Nearly Finished, Pastures Still Struggling
Nebraska corn planting reached 92 percent complete by May 24, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 91 percent. Corn emergence stands at 61 percent, a few points behind normal. Soybean planting is also nearly finished at 91 percent, ahead of average, with 58 percent emerged, which is slightly ahead of the seasonal pace.
Sorghum planting in Nebraska is at 27 percent, right in line with average for late May.
Moisture, however, remains a major issue. Nebraska topsoil moisture is rated 66 percent short to very short, while subsoil moisture is 71 percent short to very short. Those dry conditions continue to weigh heavily on forage growth. Pasture and range conditions remain especially poor, with 79 percent rated poor to very poor, and only 6 percent rated good.
Producers reported 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork, allowing continued progress but also reflecting only limited precipitation.
Kansas: Soybeans Running Ahead, Wheat Condition Still Poor
In Kansas, corn planting reached 77 percent complete, just below the five-year average of 79 percent, while corn emergence stands at 57 percent, nearly matching the normal pace. Soybean planting moved to 66 percent, ahead of the average of 56 percent, and 40 percent of the crop has emerged.
Kansas sorghum planting is at 17 percent, right in line with the five-year average.
Soil moisture remains a concern, though not quite as severe as in Nebraska. Kansas topsoil moisture is rated 59 percent short to very short, and subsoil moisture is 62 percent short to very short. Pasture and range conditions are mixed, with 40 percent rated poor to very poor and 30 percent rated fair, while 30 percent falls into good to excellent.
Kansas winter wheat also continues to reflect the impact of dry weather. With 97 percent of the crop headed, condition ratings remain weak: 55 percent is rated poor to very poor, and only 15 percent is rated good to excellent.
National Trends
Across the major producing states, corn planting reached 86 percent complete, ahead of the five-year average of 83 percent. Corn emergence is at 60 percent, slightly above average. Soybeans are 79 percent planted, well ahead of the normal pace of 68 percent, with 49 percent emerged.
National pasture and range conditions remain mixed, with 29 percent rated good to excellent, but 44 percent rated poor to very poor, highlighting the uneven impact of moisture across the country.
Looking Ahead
As planting season winds down, the focus now turns to crop establishment, stand uniformity, and pasture recovery. Across Nebraska and Kansas, rainfall in the coming weeks will play a critical role in determining early-season crop performance and forage conditions heading into summer.