Repeated bursts of extreme heat, combined with uneven rainfall across Nebraska, are raising concerns about crop development as the growing season continues a critical stretch.
The latest drought monitor shows nearly 97% of Nebraska remains in some level of drought, with more than 83% of the state classified as abnormally dry or worse. Severe drought covers nearly 62% of the state, while more than 22% is in extreme drought.
While parts of southern and eastern Nebraska could receive beneficial rainfall this week, Nebraska Extension climatologist Dr. Eric Hunt said the state’s weather pattern has favored areas that have already received moisture while leaving drought-stricken regions struggling.
“Places that have been getting moisture this summer kind of continue to get good moisture and places that haven’t been getting moisture sort of kind of keep getting the shaft,” Hunt said.
Hunt said western Nebraska remains especially vulnerable after repeated rounds of triple-digit temperatures accelerated moisture loss and worsened drought conditions. Pasture conditions reflect those challenges, with over 40% of Nebraska’s pasture and rangeland rated very poor and another 25% rated poor.
“We keep getting these pulses of heat that are just really driving up the temperatures, really increasing that evaporative demand and just exacerbating the drought conditions,” he said.
Crop development remains close to normal, but condition ratings slipped over past week
Despite the stress, crop development has continued to move forward. USDA’s latest crop progress report shows Nebraska corn is 79% through silking, near the five-year average of 80%. Corn dough development is at 18%, also close to normal. Soybeans are 85% through blooming, ahead of the five-year average, but pod setting is at 39%, slightly behind the five-year average of 42%.
Nebraska’s crop condition ratings remain mixed. About 60% of corn is rated good to excellent, while 59% of soybeans fall into those categories. However, nearly one-third of Nebraska corn and soybean acres are rated fair, showing the impact of uneven growing conditions.
Although forecast models indicate improved chances for rainfall later this month, Hunt said timely precipitation will be essential if rain-fed crops are to finish the season strong.
“We really are going to need that faucet stay on for the next month if we’re actually going to turn out a pretty good rain-fed crop,” Hunt said.
Hunt also warned another round of intense heat is expected to return later this week into early next week, bringing renewed concerns about livestock stress as daytime highs climb back into the upper 90s and low 100s and overnight temperatures remain unusually warm.