September 18 Crop Progress & Condition Report

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending September 17, 2017, temperatures averaged four to eight degrees above normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation ranged from half an inch to an inch across a majority of the State. Dry edible bean harvest was underway in western counties. There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 10 percent very short, 33 short, 56 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 11 percent very short, 36 short, 52 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 5 percent very poor, 9 poor, 24 fair, 44 good, and 18 excellent. Corn dented was 94 percent, equal to last year, and near 93 for the five-year average. Mature was 37 percent, behind 43 both last year and average. Harvested was 2 percent, equal to last year, but behind 7 average.

Soybean condition rated 4 percent very poor, 8 poor, 28 fair, 48 good, and 12 excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 54 percent, ahead of 48 both last year and average. Harvested was 3 percent, near 2 both last year and average.

Winter wheat planted was 23 percent, behind 41 last year and 34 average.

Sorghum condition rated 3 percent very poor, 2 poor, 20 fair, 55 good, and 20 excellent. Sorghum coloring was 91 percent, behind 98 last year, but near 87 average. Mature was 30 percent, behind 39 last year, but ahead of 22 average. Harvested was 2 percent, near 0 both last year and average.

Alfalfa condition rated 4 percent very poor, 10 poor, 34 fair, 40 good, and 12 excellent. Alfalfa fourth cutting was 68 percent complete, ahead of 59 last year and 61 average.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 5 percent very poor, 20 poor, 45 fair, 27 good, and 3 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 2 percent very short, 10 short, 88 adequate, and 0 surplus.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

 It was mostly dry in Iowa with above normal temperatures for the week ending September 17, 2017, according to USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork. With increased heat and little moisture, crops matured rapidly in the past week. Activities for the week included seeding cover crops, spreading manure, harvesting seed corn, chopping corn silage, and hauling grain.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 21 percent very short, 30 percent short, 49 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. According to the September 12, 2017 U.S. Drought Monitor, parts of south central and southeast Iowa remain in extreme drought status. Subsoil moisture levels rated 20 percent very short, 34 percent short, 46 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.

Eighty-eight percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage or beyond, eight days behind last year and three days behind the 5-year average. Thirty percent of corn had reached maturity, six days behind last year and average. Reports were received from throughout the state that corn harvest for grain has begun. Corn condition declined slightly to 59 percent good to excellent.

Seventy-four percent soybeans were turning color or beyond, two days behind last year but one day ahead of average. Thirty-one percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, one day behind average. Scattered soybean fields across most of the state have been harvested. Soybean condition dropped to 58 percent good to excellent.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay is nearly complete at 96 percent.

Pasture conditions worsened over the past week with 47 percent poor to very poor. Livestock conditions remain good, although there were scattered reports of flies and pink eye being an issue.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress

Corn and soybean harvests lagged the five-year average pace, while conditions held pretty steady during the week ended Sept. 17, according to USDA's latest Crop Progress and Condition report issued Monday. 

USDA's National Ag Statistics Service estimated corn to be 86% dented, 34% mature, and 7% harvested. The 5-year averages are 90%, 47%, and 11% respectively. 

NASS estimated 41% of the soybean crop is dropping leaves and 4% harvested; the 5-year averages are 43% and 5%, respectively. 

Sorghum is 29% harvested, equal to the five-year average.

Cotton bolls are 44% opening and the crop is 11% harvested nationwide. Cotton condition worsened to 14% poor to very poor, compared to 11% last week. Rice is 55% harvested, compared to a 51% average.