Crop Progress Report

August 20 , 2007

Crop Conditions Remain Stable Despite Hot Temperatures

The state saw triple digit temperatures last week, but crop conditions remained stable according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Rain fell across most of the state for the week ending August 12, and the eastern portion of the state saw additional precipitation this past week with the Northeast District averaging over an inch of rain.

Corn conditions continue to be above last year’s with ratings of 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 16 fair, 47 good, and 32 excellent. Irrigated fields rated 87 percent good or excellent and dryland fields rated 66. Corn in the dent stage was 46 percent which is behind last year’s 49 percent but above the average. 

The following pictures are taken by FFA Chapters across the state representing each of the eight districts. They show the crop progress in each area and illustrate the differences in progress throughout the state of Nebraska.  

These photos taken by the Norris FFA Chapter illustrate corn being harvested for silage which took place in some areas of the state last week. Silage is a moist feed made by cutting a green crop. It can be used to replace or supplement hay for cattle, horses, and sheep. Most silage is cut when it contains between 65 and 70 percent moisture.

The picture to the right shows the storing of the silage. The tractor and blade are used to push the silage into a pile and pack it down. Packing the silage and then covering it to keep out air and precipitation are important processes when storing silage.

These pictures show corn ears that are mature and starting to dry out which can be seen in the dents that are starting to form in the kernels. Unlike silage, corn for grain is drier when it is harvested. Most corn will be harvested when the kernels contain between 21 and 25 percent moisture. The picture on the left comes from the Heartland FFA Chapter in District 3. The picture to the right comes from the Sutton FFA Chapter in District 2.

The pictures below show the progress of fields near Loup City in the central part of the state. The photo on the left shows the corner of a pivot. With sufficient rains this year, corners of pivots that usually do not produce as much will be producing extra yields per field. The field on the right is a dryland field that will be a great corn crop for this farmer.

AG FACTS

• It has been estimated that Nebraska will produce 1.46 billion bushels of corn this year, harvesting 8.7 million acres that will yield 168 bushels per acre. If these estimates are realized, it would be a record setting year for average yield and total corn production.
• The USDA has estimated that the United States will produce 13.1 billion bushels which is a 24 percent increase from last year. They are expecting an average yield of 152.8 bushels per acre on 85.4 million acres harvested producing the largest corn crop on record.