USDA-NASS Nebraska Weather & Crops County Comments
Supplement to Nebraska Weather & Crops, Issue NE-CW2802, Released July 15, 2002
Comments provided by County FSA and Extension personnel. When reports cover more than one county, comments are repeated under each.
Survey Date: 07/14/2002
ADAMS
Producers report the milo will begin to fire within the next 2 weeks unless it rains. Most dryland corn is done. Dryland soybeans are in trouble. Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!!!!!!!!!!!!
ADAMS
Hot, dry weather conditions have cause dryland crops and pasture to continue to decline. Irrigated crops look good and are developing well. Cool season grasses in grazed pastures have gone dormant for the rest of the summer. Grasshopper infestations are severe on the edges of fields, many producers are applying pesticides to reduce the infestations.
ANTELOPE
No rain for the previous week. Mist, high humidity and cooler temperatures have allowed dryland crops to hang on. Tassels are about 50% emerged on dryland corn and 85% on irrigated. Most sand dryland corn will be gone by the end of his week without additional moisture. Poor spots on heavy soil have really shown up this last week with the corn at about half the height. Dryland soybeans are showing problem areas in the field. 85% of the pastures are turning brown, even in sub-irrigated sites.
ARTHUR
A wild week of weather saw rain amounts over 10" southwest of Ogallala which caused flash flooding and considerable damage to that area. The surrounding areas did receive beneficial moisture so there was more good than bad from this storm. Most wheat was harvested before the rain; yield and quality of the crop was good considering the dry weather. The dryland corn looks much better now, and with another timely rain or two should make a good crop.
BANNER
Very dry. Irrigated crops looking good but water will be shut off soon by the irrigation districts. Producers with irrigation wells will be able to get a partial crop.
BANNER
Wheat harvest on dryland acres is nearing completion and should finish by next week. Yields, quality and protein have been better than expected in some areas. Frost and drought have damaged other fields where yields are poor.
BOONE
Hot and dry conditions decreased crop conditions in the area. Dryland crops are showing extreme stress from lack of moisture. Dryland corn is tasseling at 3 ft. Most of the second cutting of alfalfa hay under dryland conditions will not be harvested (too short). Cattlemen are concerned about sufficient grass to carry cattle through this season. Some are supplemental feeding cattle on pastures.
BOONE
Pastures are drying up. Most cattle producers have started to hay or finding other means of feeding or looking for some other grazing. Dryland crops are hurting. Some corn is maturing faster than normal to try to form an ear. We are still very dry.
BOYD
Pastures, alfalfa and dryland crops continue to deteriorate. Scattered showers helped but were very local. Grasshoppers continue to mature and become harder to control. Upland and meadow hay are being harvested with yields down from 10-50% of average. The second cutting of alfalfa was 25% of normal at best.
BUTLER
Livestock producers were in dire need of CRP hay/graze authorization. We received it this week. Many were considering partial or all herd liquidation as there is little forage anywhere in the region. Dryland corn and soybeans have continued to deteriorate. The little bit of rain received since the first part of June has been spotty. If the high temps return with wind, dryland crops will die very quickly.
CASS
51% short of normal for rainfall. Farmers beginning to feed winter hay to cattle and chop corn for cattle .
CHEYENNE
Wheat harvest on dryland acres is nearing completion and should finish by next week. Yields, quality and protein have been better than expected in some areas. Frost and drought have damaged other fields where yields are poor.
COLFAX
Dry weather has really taken a toll this last week, especially on pastures. Dryland corn is severely damaged. Probably won't be another cutting of alfalfa. A few cool days helped. Grasshoppers are doing lots of damage too.
DAWES
Very dry.
DAWSON
Still no rain. Irrigation is full time employment. The irrigated crops look good; however on center pivots the dryland corners are gone. Soybeans are being irrigated early to stimulate some vegetative growth before flowering. Real concern for beans if the ditch water is stopped on August 1st. People are moving cattle off of pastures to drylot or sale barns. Without irrigation and sub-irrigation for alfalfa, this cropping year would be over.
DIXON
Producers continue to tend to crop with herbicide. Some moisture and cooler weather brought relief at week's end. Some producers taking advantage of stronger grain markets this week where they still have 2001 crop to market. Crops continue to be stressed and in need of moisture as we move into the critical pollination period. The hot,dry conditions have also been hard on animals.
DODGE
Crop and soil conditions are extremely dry. Corn is either pollinating or will be during the next week. Therefore, this is a very critical time. Farmers are very busy irrigating their corn acreages. Most farmers have not irrigated their soybeans as of this time.
DODGE
Hot dry conditions for most of the week continued to put stress on dryland crops and livestock. Producers who do not have extra pasture are feeding hay already. Grasshoppers are present but not doing much crop damage yet. Farmers are pumping water as much as they can to crops and livestock.
DOUGLAS
Turn the heat off and let it rain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FRONTIER
Conditions remain very dry. Pasture conditions are critical. Farmers are supplement feeding and some are considering harvesting more corn silage than normal for feeding purposes. Much of the second crop dryland alfalfa did not regrow. There was no rain in the county.
GAGE
Rain over the week was from 0 to 2 inches. Corn with the 2 inch rain is still wilting on warm afternoons. If we have normal rains from here on, our corn crop will likely be reduced 60% from 10 year average yields, soybeans by 15%, and milo by 15%. Irrigated farmers are going alright, but our operators who irrigate out of limited water sources like creeks and ponds are rapidly depleting water supply. If temperatures return to the 90's before more rain there will be further deterioration.
GARDEN
A wild week of weather saw rain amounts over 10" southwest of Ogallala which caused flash flooding and considerable damage to that area. The surrounding areas did receive beneficial moisture so there was more good than bad from this storm. Most wheat was harvested before the rain; yield and quality of the crop was good considering the dry weather. The dryland corn looks much better now, and with another timely rain or two should make a good crop.
GARFIELD
Very hot and dry conditions over the last week. No rain.
GOSPER
Conditions remain very dry. Pasture conditions are critical. Farmers are supplement feeding and some are considering harvesting more corn silage than normal for feeding purposes. Much of the second crop dryland alfalfa did not regrow. There was no rain in the county.
GREELEY
Crop conditions have been very hot in dry in central Nebraska. The grasshoppers have also done some damage to many of the crops in the area. Pastures are in need of rain and are very dry at the current time.
GREELEY
Pastures are drying up. Most cattle producers have started to hay or finding other means of feeding or looking for some other grazing. Dryland crops are hurting. Some corn is maturing faster than normal to try to form an ear. We are still very dry.
HARLAN
All of our pastures have turned brown and when you drive across them, you leave tracks, so the grass is breaking off. Some producers have had trouble keeping cattle out of crop fields, and there is some supplemental feeding at this time. Some of the dryland corn is beyond being helped with a rain.
HAYES
Still hot and dry. Two days this week were cooler which made people feel a little better. Producers are weaning calves and moving cows to lots. Even irrigated alfalfa is producing about half of normal. Irrigated corn looks good where it is getting enough water. Crops are deteriorating daily and so are producers' spirit.
HITCHCOCK
Still hot and dry. Two days this week were cooler which made people feel a little better. Producers are weaning calves and moving cows to lots. Even irrigated alfalfa is producing about half of normal. Irrigated corn looks good where it is getting enough water. Crops are deteriorating daily and so are producers' spirit.
HOLT
Pastures, alfalfa and dryland crops continue to deteriorate. Scattered showers helped but were very local. Grasshoppers continue to mature and become harder to control. Upland and meadow hay are being harvested with yields down from 10-50% of average. The second cutting of alfalfa was 25% of normal at best.
HOWARD
Crop conditions have been very hot in dry in central Nebraska. The grasshoppers have also done some damage to many of the crops in the area. Pastures are in need of rain and are very dry at the current time.
JEFFERSON
Lots of grasshopper damage. Extreme heat first part of week. No rain.
JOHNSON
Hot and dry. The office was lined with producers on Friday, wishing to hay and graze CRP. Row crops continue to deteriorate. Milo fields seem to be holding on the best. Some bean fields still look good but are showing stress. Dryland corn will make half a crop at best.
JOHNSON
The three county area received cooler temperatures during the past week. A trace of precipitation was received (.20-.30) in some parts of the three county area. The corn is trying to pollinate. The tassels are emerging in most cases and many of the plants are not shooting ears. The alfalfa is not regrowing, and the cool season pastures have not grown for the past 3-4 weeks. Some producers are asking about cutting corn for silage or are starting to feed hay to their cattle. Soybeans are starting to show stress in most fields, and growth is very limited. Most of the producers have CRC Crop Insurance and will protect at least their investment in this years crop. The Crop Insurance won't replace the full crop, but will be helpful in paying most of the production costs for protected at the 80-85% levels.
KEITH
A wild week of weather saw rain amounts over 10" southwest of Ogallala which caused flash flooding and considerable damage to that area. The surrounding areas did receive beneficial moisture so there was more good than bad from this storm. Most wheat was harvested before the rain; yield and quality of the crop was good considering the dry weather. The dryland corn looks much better now, and with another timely rain or two should make a good crop.
KIMBALL
Wheat harvest on dryland acres is nearing completion and should finish by next week. Yields, quality and protein have been better than expected in some areas. Frost and drought have damaged other fields where yields are poor.
KNOX
Temperatures were moderate for the week. Most crops held their own. Second cutting of hay is mostly complete. Production was very poor. Grasshopper infestations are severe in some areas. Corn borer are also prevalent.
LOUP
Very hot and dry conditions over the last week. No rain.
MERRICK
Some of our alfalfa hay did not grow tall enough to even cut a 2nd time. Some farmers report that they are having a hard time getting water to go through the rows to the end of the field and there simply isn't enough water to irrigate all the crops timely as we have had no rains and intense heat.
NANCE
Grasshoppers are still a big problem and producers are spraying as fast as they can. Still no measurable rain for the county. Pasture conditions and loss of water for cattle and crops are worsening. Some producers have lost the ability to irrigate. The FSA office was rushed with requests to hay/graze CRP after word was out on Friday.
NANCE
Hot and dry conditions decreased crop conditions in the area. Dryland crops are showing extreme stress from lack of moisture. Dryland corn is tasseling at 3 ft. Most of the second cutting of alfalfa hay under dryland conditions will not be harvested (too short). Cattlemen are concerned about sufficient grass to carry cattle through this season. Some are supplemental feeding cattle on pastures.
NEMAHA
The three county area received cooler temperatures during the past week. A trace of precipitation was received (.20-.30) in some parts of the three county area. The corn is trying to pollinate. The tassels are emerging in most cases and many of the plants are not shooting ears. The alfalfa is not regrowing, and the cool season pastures have not grown for the past 3-4 weeks. Some producers are asking about cutting corn for silage or are starting to feed hay to their cattle. Soybeans are starting to show stress in most fields, and growth is very limited. Most of the producers have CRC Crop Insurance and will protect at least their investment in this years crop. The Crop Insurance won't replace the full crop, but will be helpful in paying most of the production costs for protected at the 80-85% levels.
NUCKOLLS
Dryland crops are done. Many say that the waist-high dryland corn isn't even worth chopping. Alfalfa's second cutting is also done - about 1/4 cut and the rest isn't worth cutting.
PAWNEE
The three county area received cooler temperatures during the past week. A trace of precipitation was received (.20-.30) in some parts of the three county area. The corn is trying to pollinate. The tassels are emerging in most cases and many of the plants are not shooting ears. The alfalfa is not regrowing, and the cool season pastures have not grown for the past 3-4 weeks. Some producers are asking about cutting corn for silage or are starting to feed hay to their cattle. Soybeans are starting to show stress in most fields, and growth is very limited. Most of the producers have CRC Crop Insurance and will protect at least their investment in this years crop. The Crop Insurance won't replace the full crop, but will be helpful in paying most of the production costs for protected at the 80-85% levels.
PHELPS
Very hot dry weather continues to stress crops and livestock Dryland crops are near not producing grain. Pasture and rangeland is in very bad condition.
RED WILLOW
Continued dry weather and grasshopper infestations are continuing to deteriorate crops and pastures. Wheat harvest is complete with many producers focusing on irrigating and livestock concerns. Many livestock producers are culling deeper into their herds. Others are weaning calves. Sale numbers have increased dramatically the last two weeks.
SALINE
The dry conditions are getting to the point that I don't think a rain will bring some of the crops back to life! Another week of these conditions could be devastating.
SCOTTS BLUFF
Very dry. Irrigated crops looking good but water will be shut off soon by the irrigation districts. Producers with irrigation wells will be able to get a partial crop.
SHERMAN
Crop conditions have been very hot in dry in central Nebraska. The grasshoppers have also done some damage to many of the crops in the area. Pastures are in need of rain and are very dry at the current time.
SIOUX
Dry dry dry. Forage supplies very short. Still more cattle are going to the sale barn.
SIOUX
Very dry. Irrigated crops looking good but water will be shut off soon by the irrigation districts. Producers with irrigation wells will be able to get a partial crop.
THURSTON
.5 to 1.5 inches of rain fell in the county during the week. Precipitation and cooler temps allowed irrigators to catch up a bit. Corn is tasseling and soybeans are blooming so it is critical that we receive more moisture soon. However, despite some drought stress, crops still appear to have high yield potential. Grasshoppers are a major concern. Pastures and alfalfa also need more moisture soon to continue production.
VALLEY
Very hot and dry conditions over the last week. No rain.
WASHINGTON
The cool weather the last couple of days has been very good for the crops. However, we are badly in need of rainfall. The crops still look very good for all of the dry weather that we have been having. That will change in the next week or so if rain does not come. Pastures are becoming short now with the hot weather and little rainfall.
WEBSTER
Pastures are nearly gone. Prairie hay was about 35% of normal. Grasshopper infestation is having a big impact on crops now. Chinch bugs are a real problem also. Dryland crops are nearly history. Rain at this time may save some ecofallow crops but the rest of the dryland crops are gone. Yields are definitely affected even in the irrigated crops. Ponds are in critical conditions - dry to nearly dry. Water is being hauled to pastures. Many are bringing cattle to lots to feed. Water table is starting to get low.
WHEELER
Very hot and dry conditions over the last week. No rain.
YORK
No rain. Dryland crops continue to deteriorate. Irrigation running continuously. Some farmers say by the time the pivot gets around to the starting point the corn leaves are rolling. One inch of water applied as they go.
YORK
The dryland crops have deteriorated a lot this past week. We've only had .75" of rain since the 1st of May. Many dryland corn fields may not recover even with a good rain. The pastures are not going to produce much without rain. Have had several questions about utilizing drought damaged crops.