Nebraska’s National Ag Statistics Service field office reports that hot, dry weather in central and western areas of the state increased drought severity, and stressed dryland crops and pastures.
The office adds producers are actively irrigating row crops in those areas and using supplemental feed for livestock but the eastern 1/3 of the state did see significant rainfall.
54% of topsoil and 69% of subsoil is either short or very short of moisture.
60% of corn is rated good to excellent, compared to 78% a year ago, and 57% of beans are in good to excellent shape, compared to 80% this time last year.
32% of the wheat crop is harvested, well ahead of normal, with 40% good to excellent, compared to 56% a year ago.
50% of wild hay is called good, none of it is excellent, and 33% of alfalfa is in good to excellent condition.
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