The latest USDA Crop Progress report shows producers in Nebraska and Kansas continue to make solid planting progress, but deteriorating moisture conditions are becoming a bigger part of the story, especially for winter wheat, pasture and range, and forage supplies.
In Nebraska, corn planting reached 97 percent complete by June 1, just ahead of the five-year average of 96 percent. Soybean planting moved to 95 percent, also ahead of the normal pace of 92 percent. Corn emergence reached 79 percent and soybeans were 72 percent emerged, both slightly ahead of average.
Nebraska also reported sorghum planting at 46 percent, essentially in line with the five-year average, while oats were 91 percent emerged and 21 percent headed. Farmers had 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, allowing continued progress across much of the state.
But the state’s moisture profile remains a major concern. Topsoil moisture was rated 27 percent very short and 29 percent short, while subsoil moisture was even tighter at 35 percent very short and 33 percent short. That dryness continues to show up in crop and forage conditions.
Nebraska winter wheat was rated 49 percent very poor and 31 percent poor, leaving 80 percent of the crop in poor to very poor condition. The crop was 84 percent headed, well ahead of the five-year average of 60 percent. Pasture and range conditions were similarly bleak, with 51 percent rated very poor and 29 percent poor. Oat condition also reflected the stress, with 57 percent rated poor to very poor.
Kansas saw corn planting reach 85 percent, just slightly behind the five-year average of 88 percent. Soybean planting advanced to 75 percent, well ahead of the normal 65 percent pace, while corn emergence stood at 67 percent and soybean emergence at 57 percent. Sorghum planting was 26 percent complete, right in line with average.
Kansas winter wheat was 99 percent headed, ahead of the five-year average of 94 percent, but condition remained weak. Just 15 percent of the crop was rated good to excellent, while 55 percent was rated poor to very poor. Topsoil moisture was 43 percent short to very short, and subsoil moisture was 48 percent short to very short. Pasture and range condition was mixed, with 31 percent rated poor to very poor and 39 percent rated good to excellent.
Nationally, USDA reported corn at 93 percent planted and 76 percent emerged, while soybeans were 87 percent planted and 65 percent emerged. Both crops are running ahead of their five-year averages. Corn condition was rated 67 percent good to excellent, and soybeans 66 percent good to excellent.
Winter wheat continues to be the weakest major crop nationally. The crop was 87 percent headed and 5 percent harvested, but only 26 percent was rated good to excellent, while 44 percent was rated poor to very poor. Pasture and range conditions also remain under pressure nationwide, with 42 percent rated poor to very poor. Topsoil moisture across the country was 36 percent short to very short, and subsoil moisture was 39 percent short to very short.
The June 1 report reinforces the key early season theme across the Plains: producers have made strong progress getting crops planted, but timely rain will be critical to support emergence, forage growth, and the wheat crop already under stress.