July 20 Crop Progress & Condition Report - NE - IA - US

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending July 19, 2015, temperatures averaged two to three degrees above normal across much of the State, with widespread precipitation reported, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall totals of two inches or more were recorded in portions of central and northeast Nebraska, with lesser amounts elsewhere. The hot, humid conditions continued to boost crop development, but stressed livestock. Wheat harvest was near completion in southern counties, and was active in the Panhandle. There were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 23 short, 66 adequate, and 6 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 19 short, 72 adequate, and 4 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 21 fair, 57 good, and 16 excellent. Corn silking was at 63 percent, ahead of 58 last year and the five-year average of 57.

Sorghum condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 29 fair, 62 good, and 8 excellent. Sorghum headed was at 20 percent, near 21 last year, but ahead of 9 average.

Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 22 fair, 57 good, and 15 excellent. Soybeans blooming was at 61 percent, behind 70 last year, but equal to the average. Setting pods was at 17 percent, behind 30 last year, but near 16 average.

Winter wheat condition rated 15 percent very poor, 20 poor, 32 fair, 31 good, and 2 excellent. Mature was at 96 percent, ahead of 81 last year and 83 average. Harvested was at 62 percent, ahead of 51 last year and 56 average.

Oats condition rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 25 fair, 61 good, and 6 excellent. Oats coloring was at 95 percent, ahead of 88 last year. Mature was at 72 percent, ahead of 65 last year. Harvested was at 28 percent, equal to last year, but well behind 52 average.

Alfalfa condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 25 fair, 58 good, and 12 excellent. Alfalfa hay second cutting was at 67 percent, near 68 last year, but behind 72 average. 

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor,21 fair, 60 good, and 12 excellent.Stock water supplies rated 2 percent very short, 8 short, 88 adequate, and 2 surplus.



Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at:
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg/2010s/2015/CropProg-07-20-2015.pdf.

Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps at:
http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps/current/index.php?action=update_region&state=NE&region=HPRCC.

Access the U.S. Drought Monitor at:
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Home/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?NE.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

Hot and humid weather throughout Iowa aided crop development for the week ending July 19, 2015, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included cutting hay and fungicide application to corn. Tasseling corn was reported throughout the State.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus.

Over half the corn crop reached the silking stage, with 83 percent rated good to excellent.

Soybeans blooming or beyond reached 62 percent, slightly behind 2014, but equal to normal. Fifteen percent of soybeans were setting pods. Soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent this week.

Oat acreage turning color or beyond reached 87 percent, with 28 percent of the oat crop harvested
for grain or seed, 3 days ahead of last year, but 4 days behind the average. Oat crop condition rating declined to 79 percent good to excellent.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay made little progress, advancing just 1 percentage point to 95 percent complete. The second cutting reached 53 percent, slightly ahead of last year, but 5 days behind normal. Hay condition was rated at 69 percent good to excellent, while pasture condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Livestock stress levels increased as temperatures and humidity remained high throughout the week.



IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist

Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land StewardshipHot and humid weather dominated Iowa for much of the reporting week. The hottest weather occurred onMonday (13th) and Friday (17th) while temperatures slipped below normal in some areas on Wednesday (15th)and Sunday (19th). The combination of heat and humidity pushed official heat indices to 111 degrees atBurlington on Monday and 110 degrees on Friday while unofficial readings went even higher elsewhere oversouthern Iowa. Actual temperatures peaked at 97 degrees at Des Moines on Monday and also at Bellevue,Lamoni and Osceola on Friday. Lowest temperatures were sunrise readings of 56 degrees at Cresco onWednesday (15th) and at Estherville on Sunday (19th). Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged 3.3degrees above normal. Most of the week’s rain fell between late Wednesday (15th) morning and Friday (17th)morning with heavy rains of two inches or more falling over most of the southern one-third of the state, as wellas some west central sections of Iowa. Otherwise there were some scattered showers and thunderstorms overthe northeast and southwest corners of Iowa on Monday (13th). Light to occasionally moderate rain also fellover far northern, western and southern Iowa on Saturday (18th). Finally, thunderstorms brought rain to farsouthern Iowa on Sunday (19th) morning. Weekly rain totals varied from 0.17 inches at Bellevue to 5.61 inchesat Clarinda. The statewide average rainfall was 1.30 inches while normal for the week is 1.02 inches.



USDA: Corn, Soybean Condition Ratings Improve

Though they remain below year ago ratings, the U.S. corn and soybean ratings show an improvement on a week-to-week basis, according to the USDA.

In its Crop Ratings Report Monday, the USDA pegged the corn good/excellent condition at 69%, equal to a week ago, but below a 76% five-year average. This is the first time, this year, the corn rating was not below the previous week's rating. The corn crop’s silking rate is at 55% vs. a five-year average of 56%.

For soybeans, the good/excellent rating is 62%, equal to a week ago and below a 73% year ago rating. Also, 56% of the soybeans have reached the bloom stage, equal to a five-year average. USDA rated the soybean crop as 17% setting pods, equal to a five-year average.

The U.S. wheat harvest is 75% complete, which is now ahead of the five-year average of 74%.

Also, USDA sees the U.S. pasture and range conditions at 63% good/excellent vs. 53% a year ago.