Agricultural Summary

Western districts enjoyed some precipitation, but the rest of the state remained dry.  There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork allowing harvest of nearly half a million corn acres.  Topsoil moisture improved to 85 percent very short, 11 percent short, and 4 percent adequate but remaining significantly below the 5-year average of 15 percent very short, 27 percent short, 53 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus.    Subsoil moisture supply was 88 percent very short, 11 percent short, and 1 percent adequate.

Field Crops Report

Corn dented was 93 percent, 8 days ahead of last year, and 3 weeks ahead of normal (5-year average).  Corn mature was 67 percent, 15 days ahead of 2011 and 23 days ahead of normal.  Corn harvested now at 32 percent, was 22 days ahead of last year, and 27 days ahead of normal.  Corn moisture at harvest was 16.8 percent ranging from 18.9 percent in the north-central to 13.2 percent in the west-central district.  Corn condition declined to 58 percent very poor, 27 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 3 percent good, and 1 percent excellent.  Soybeans setting pods and beyond were 85 percent, 3 days ahead of last year, and 6 days ahead of normal.  Soybeans turning color and beyond were 13 percent, 9 days ahead of last year, and 8 days ahead of normal.  Soybeans dropping leaves and beyond were 3 percent, 9 days ahead of last year, and 6 days ahead of normal.  Soybean condition declined to 46 percent very poor, 32 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 6 percent good, and 1 percent excellent.  Cotton opening bolls was 32 percent, 8 days ahead of last year, and 6 days ahead of normal.  Cotton condition was 10 percent very poor, 30 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 18 percent good, and 2 percent excellent.  Rice headed was 95 percent, 16 days ahead of last year, and 12 days ahead of normal.  Rice harvested was 6 percent, 12 days ahead of last year, and 6 days ahead of normal.  Rice condition was 5 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 20 percent excellent.  Sorghum headed and beyond was 92 percent, 2 days ahead of last year, and 5 days ahead of normal.  Sorghum turning color and beyond was 51 percent, 8 days ahead of last year, and 6 days ahead of normal.  Sorghum mature was 12 percent, 5 days ahead of last year, and 4 days ahead of normal.  Sorghum harvest began, a week ahead of last year but on track with normal.  Sorghum condition was 26 percent very poor, 37 percent poor, 27 percent fair, and 10 percent good.  Alfalfa hay 3rd cutting was 66 percent, 2 weeks behind last year, and 1 week behind normal.   

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition declined from last week to 89 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, and 1 percent fair.  Supply of hay and other roughages declined to 63 percent very short, 27 percent short, and 10 percent adequate.  Some producers continued to wean calves early and sell them for slaughter.  Stock water supplies dropped to 70 percent very short, 24 percent short, and 6 percent adequate.  Prolonged precipitation was needed to salvage pasture and replenish stock water supplies.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were 4 degrees below to 3 degrees above average.  Precipitation averaged 0.56 of an inch statewide.  The northwest district averaged 1.94 inches with Holt County receiving 5.69 inches.

NASS is currently conducting our annual September surveys on crops and livestock. In the first two weeks of September, NASS is surveying U.S. small grains growers for final production.  We are also asking hog producers about their summer pig crop, next year’s farrowing intentions, and current inventory. The responses will provide the foundation for 2012 production estimates. All participating farmers should respond. Your information matters!