NEBRASKA WEATHER AND CROP SUMMARY FOR DECEMBER 2012

Agricultural Summary: 
For  the month  of December  2012,  unseasonably warm  and  dry weather  the  first  half  of  the month  was  followed  by  rain  and  snow  that  brought  some much  needed moisture  to  the  state,  according  to  USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.  Temperatures averaged above normal but lows fell below zero  the  last  half  of  the  month.    Snow  provided  cover  for  wheat,  but  made  it  difficult  for  cattle  to  graze  stalks.  Supplemental feeding is underway and feed supplies were adequate with cattle in good condition.  The eastern third and southern  tier of counties received well above normal precipitation while most of  the west was below normal.   Fertilizer was still being applied until mid month when rain and snow fell. Wheat conditions continue well below year ago levels.  
 
Weather Summary: 
The majority of the state saw temperatures average 1 to 5 degrees above normal during December.  Topsoil temperatures  ranged from 21  to 34 degrees during  the  last week of the month and  in general were cooler in the central  third of  the  state.  The eastern  third and  southern  tier of counties  received  from  .7  to 2  inches of precipitation, while much of the remainder of the state received a half inch or less.   
 
Field Crops Report: 
Wheat conditions statewide rated 15 percent very poor, 34 poor, 37 fair, 14 good, and 0 excellent, well below last year when 74 percent of the crop rated good or excellent.  Hay and forage supplies rated 10 percent very short, 29 short, 61 adequate, and 0 surplus, well below a year ago when 96 percent was adequate to surplus.
 
Livestock, Pasture, and Range Report:    
Cattle and Calves  condition  rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 28  fair, 64 good, and 6 excellent, well below last year’s 93 percent good or excellent. 

County Reports:
BOONE: Unseasonably warm and dry weather until the week of December 16 - then extreme cold and snow. 
DIXON: Stubble fields are snow covered as of this last week.  
DODGE: What little wheat there is had a little shower (.25) of moisture with 3-4 inches of snow cover on top of that.  Field work is done for the year.  Now farm shows and getting seed orders are the main activities.  A cold snap has hit the end of December but no livestock losses to speak of. 
KNOX: Cattle have done well grazing crop residues with minimal snow cover.  It is currently snowing so that will change things.  Conditions continue to be very dry. 
POLK: Major snowstorm December 19-20 brought 8 inches of blowing and drifting snow to the area. Ice is still a problem.
SARPY/DOUGLAS: Wet, uniform snow layer will improve moisture situation but will also increase hay usage for cattle.
THURSTON: Received some much needed moisture (snow) throughout the last couple of weeks.