October 2 Crop Progress & Condition Report

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending October 1, 2017, temperatures averaged four to eight degrees below normal across western Nebraska, but two to six degrees above normal in the east, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Accumulations of an inch or more of rain were common across most of the State, with exception of Panhandle area, recorded less than an inch. Significant rainfall continued to limit harvest activities. There were 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 19 short, 73 adequate, and 4 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 28 short, 63 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 3 percent very poor, 8 poor, 23 fair, 48 good, and 18 excellent. Corn mature was 70 percent, behind 83 last year and 77 average. Harvested was 12 percent, near 14 last year, and behind 20 average.

Soybean condition rated 3 percent very poor, 7 poor, 27 fair, 51 good, and 12 excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 93 percent, ahead of 87 last year and 86 average. Harvested was 19 percent, behind 24 last year and 26 average.

Winter wheat planted was 70 percent, behind 83 last year and 76 average. Emerged was 42 percent, behind 57 last year, but near 40 average.

Sorghum condition rated 2 percent very poor, 2 poor, 20 fair, 55 good, and 21 excellent. Sorghum mature was 62 percent, well behind 85 last year, but near 66 average. Harvested was 17 percent, near 21 last year, but ahead of 10 average.

Alfalfa condition rated 3 percent very poor, 10 poor, 27 fair, 47 good, and 13 excellent. Alfalfa fourth cutting was 87 percent complete, ahead of 78 last year, and near 83 average.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 5 percent very poor, 16 poor, 39 fair, 35 good, and 5 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 1 percent very short, 8 short, 91 adequate, and 0 surplus.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

 Rainfall  during the week slowed down harvest allowing Iowa farmers 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending October 1, 2017, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Although there were wet field conditions in parts of the State, activities for the week included harvesting corn for grain and soybeans, seeding cover crops, and finishing the last cutting of hay.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 17 percent very short, 26 percent short, 56 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 20 percent very short, 32 percent short, 47 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Ninety-seven percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage or beyond, five days behind the 5-year average. Seventy-three percent of corn had reached maturity, six days behind last year and three days behind average. Six percent of the corn crop for grain has been harvested, nearly two weeks behind average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested was at 23 percent. Corn condition improved slightly to 60 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-seven percent of soybeans were turning color or beyond, three days ahead of last year and four days ahead of average. Eighty-four percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, four days ahead of average. Sixteen percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, one day behind last year and three days behind average. Soybean condition also improved slightly with 61 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition improved slightly to 22 percent good to excellent. Rain this past week prompted pastures to regrow and green up. No livestock comments were received.



USDA Weekly Crop Progress

Corn and soybean harvest fell further behind the average pace during the week ended Oct. 1, according to USDA's latest Crop Progress report issued Monday. 

USDA estimated that 68% of corn was mature as Sunday, 10 points behind the five-year average. Harvest progressed to 17% complete, 9 percentage points behind the average pace of 26%. In last Monday's report, harvest was 6 points behind the average pace.  Corn condition was rated 63% good to excellent, up 2 percentage points from 61% the previous week.

Soybean harvest progress also fell further behind normal. USDA estimated that 22% of the crop was harvested as of Sunday, 4 percentage points behind the five-year average of 26%. In last Monday's report, soybean harvest lagged the average pace by only 2 points.  Soybean condition held steady from the previous week at 60% good to excellent.

Meanwhile, USDA estimated winter wheat planting to be 36% complete and 12% of the crop emerged as of Sunday, Oct. 1, even though no firm estimate on 2018 acreage has been established.

Sorghum was 34% harvested, behind the five-year average of 37%.

Cotton was 67% in the bolls opening stage and the crop was 17% harvested nationwide, ahead of the average of 13% harvested. Cotton condition worsened from 60% good to excellent the previous week to 57% last week. Rice was 77% harvested, compared to a 71% average.