The latest USDA Crop Progress report for the week ending June 21 shows corn and soybeans continuing to develop on schedule across Nebraska, Kansas, and the broader Midwest, with early reproductive stages beginning. However, moisture shortages across the Plains remain a key concern for pasture, forage, and winter wheat.
Nebraska
In Nebraska, crop development continues to move steadily forward. Corn emergence reached 100 percent, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 99 percent. Soybeans were 97 percent emerged, also ahead of normal, and 12 percent of the crop is now blooming, well ahead of the five-year average of 4 percent.
Crop condition ratings show moderate improvement. Corn was rated 57 percent good to excellent, while soybeans were 59 percent good to excellent.
However, moisture conditions continue to limit potential. Topsoil moisture was rated 22 percent very short and 24 percent short, while subsoil moisture stood at 30 percent very short and 29 percent short. That dryness is having the greatest impact on forage and winter wheat.
Nebraska pasture and range conditions remain extremely poor, with 45 percent rated very poor and 28 percent poor, or 73 percent poor to very poor overall. Winter wheat conditions are even worse, with 83 percent of the crop rated poor to very poor, and only 5 percent rated good. The crop is fully headed, but harvest had not yet begun.
Kansas
Kansas is showing solid progress in row crops. Corn was 96 percent emerged, just ahead of the five-year average, and soybeans were 80 percent emerged, three points ahead of normal. Corn condition was rated 64 percent good to excellent, while soybeans were 65 percent good to excellent.
Sorghum planting improved significantly, reaching 77 percent complete, nearly in line with the five-year average of 78 percent.
Winter wheat remains a major concern despite rapid harvest progress. Harvest advanced to 58 percent complete, compared to the five-year average of 26 percent. However, crop condition remains weak, with 55 percent rated poor to very poor and only 14 percent rated good, with no acres rated excellent.
Pasture and range conditions in Kansas were mixed but improved compared to Nebraska, with 19 percent poor to very poor and 51 percent good to excellent. Soil moisture showed some improvement, but remained limited, with 26 percent of topsoil and 32 percent of subsoil rated short to very short.
National
Across the United States, row crops continue to develop at or slightly ahead of average. Corn emergence reached 97 percent, and 5 percent of the crop is now silking, slightly ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition held steady at 68 percent good to excellent.
Soybeans were 93 percent emerged, three points ahead of normal, and 9 percent were blooming, also ahead of average. Soybean condition was rated 66 percent good to excellent.
Sorghum planting reached 84 percent complete, matching the five-year average.
Winter wheat continues to be the weakest major crop nationally. Harvest reached 40 percent complete, significantly ahead of the five-year average of 24 percent, but only 26 percent of the crop was rated good to excellent, while 46 percent was rated poor to very poor.
Pasture and range conditions remained under pressure nationwide, with 37 percent rated poor to very poor, reflecting ongoing dryness in parts of the Plains and West.
Bottom Line
The June 21 report highlights a clear divide:
Midwest row crops are off to a solid start and entering early reproductive stages, while across Nebraska, Kansas, and the wider Plains, ongoing moisture shortages continue to limit pasture, forage, and winter wheat conditions.