The latest USDA Crop Progress report shows producers in Nebraska, Kansas, and much of the country are wrapping up corn and soybean planting, but moisture shortages and poor winter wheat conditions are still a major part of the story across parts of the Plains.
In Nebraska, corn planting reached 96 percent complete by June 7, matching the five-year average, while soybean planting also stood at 96 percent, right on the normal pace. Corn emergence advanced to 91 percent and soybeans were 84 percent emerged, both close to average.
Nebraska also reported sorghum planting at 69 percent, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 67 percent. Farmers had 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, allowing continued progress despite scattered interruptions.
But the state’s moisture profile remains a major concern. Topsoil moisture was rated 28 percent very short and 28 percent short, while subsoil moisture was rated 33 percent very short and 33 percent short. That dryness continues to show up in crop and forage conditions.
Nebraska winter wheat was rated 52 percent very poor and 30 percent poor, leaving 82 percent of the crop in poor to very poor condition. The crop was 93 percent headed, well ahead of the five-year average of 81 percent. Pasture and range conditions were similarly bleak, with 50 percent rated very poor and 30 percent poor.
Kansas saw corn planting reach 97 percent, ahead of the five-year average of 96 percent. Soybean planting advanced to 82 percent, well ahead of the normal 74 percent pace, while corn emergence stood at 78 percent and soybean emergence at 67 percent. Sorghum planting was 33 percent complete, still behind the five-year average of 41 percent.
Kansas winter wheat was 100 percent headed, ahead of the five-year average of 97 percent, but condition remained weak. Fourteen percent of the crop was rated good, with none rated excellent, while 57 percent was rated poor to very poor. Topsoil moisture was 33 percent short to very short, and subsoil moisture was 42 percent short to very short. Pasture and range condition was mixed, with 27 percent rated poor to very poor and 40 percent rated good to excellent.
Nationally, USDA reported corn at 97 percent planted and 86 percent emerged, while soybeans were 92 percent planted and 79 percent emerged. Both crops are running ahead of their five-year averages. Corn condition was rated 67 percent good to excellent, and soybeans 65 percent good to excellent.
Winter wheat continues to be the weakest major crop nationally. The crop was 92 percent headed and 11 percent harvested, but only 25 percent was rated good to excellent, while 46 percent was rated poor to very poor. Pasture and range conditions also remain under pressure nationwide, with 40 percent rated poor to very poor. Topsoil moisture across the country was 34 percent short to very short, and subsoil moisture was 39 percent short to very short.
The June 8 report reinforces the key early season theme across the Plains: producers have made strong progress getting crops planted and emerged, but timely rain will be critical to support forage growth, row-crop development, and the winter wheat crop already under stress.