The latest USDA Crop Progress report shows corn and soybeans moving ahead across Nebraska, Kansas, and the broader Midwest, but pasture, forage, and winter wheat conditions continue to reflect dry conditions across parts of the Plains.
In Nebraska, corn emergence reached 97 percent by June 14, matching both last year and the five-year average. Soybeans were 98 percent planted, also on the average pace, and 92 percent emerged, one point ahead of average.
Nebraska corn condition was rated 55 percent good to excellent, with soybeans also at 55 percent good to excellent. Sorghum planting reached 84 percent, matching the five-year average, and producers had 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork.
The state’s moisture profile remains the biggest concern. Topsoil moisture was rated 30 percent very short and 26 percent short, while subsoil moisture was 28 percent very short and 35 percent short. That dryness continues to show up most clearly in forage and wheat.
Nebraska pasture and range was rated 47 percent very poor and 32 percent poor, leaving 79 percent in poor to very poor condition. Winter wheat was rated 58 percent very poor and 28 percent poor, or 86 percent poor to very poor. The crop was 96 percent headed, ahead of the five-year average, but harvest had not yet been reported.
Kansas row crops are also progressing. Corn was 90 percent emerged, ahead of the five-year average, while soybeans were 87 percent planted and 74 percent emerged. Corn condition was rated 63 percent good to excellent, and soybeans were 67 percent good to excellent.
Kansas sorghum planting reached 54 percent, still behind the five-year average of 60 percent. Winter wheat was 100 percent headed, and harvest jumped to 28 percent complete, compared with the five-year average of 8 percent. However, crop condition remained weak, with 57 percent rated poor to very poor and only 14 percent rated good.
Kansas pasture and range was rated 23 percent poor to very poor and 46 percent good to excellent. Topsoil moisture was 36 percent short to very short, while subsoil moisture was 41 percent short to very short.
Nationally, corn emergence reached 94 percent, one point ahead of the five-year average, and corn condition was rated 68 percent good to excellent. Soybeans were 95 percent planted and 88 percent emerged, both ahead of average, with condition rated 66 percent good to excellent.
Winter wheat remains the weakest major crop nationally. The crop was 95 percent headed and 25 percent harvested, nearly double the five-year average harvest pace. Only 27 percent of winter wheat was rated good to excellent, while 45 percent was rated poor to very poor. Pasture and range conditions also remain pressured, with 39 percent rated poor to very poor nationwide.
The June 14 report reinforces the early-season divide: Midwest row crops are mostly established and rated fair-to-good, but in Nebraska, Kansas, and the wider Plains, moisture stress continues to drive concerns for pasture, forage, and winter wheat.