Crop Progress Report

May 29 , 2007

Planting Almost Complete

Farmers are nearly finished planting corn despite rain throughout most of the state last week, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.

Most of the state saw average temperatures in the 60’s. Highs included middle 80’s, and the lows included temperatures in the 30’s in northwestern Nebraska. The Southeast district received the most precipitation averaging over two inches of rain. The Northwest district is the only district to not have above average precipitation for this time of the year.

Corn planted reached 98 percent complete last week. Last year at this time, corn planted was 99 percent complete. The amount of corn emerged increased significantly last week, increasing to 82 percent from 59 percent emerged the week before. This is behind last year’s 89 percent, but it is still 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 pictures were taken by the Norris FFA Chapter in Lancaster County. Planting was pushed back some in the area due to heavy rains. The picture on the left shows the seed corn in a planter box before it is planted. The seed is pink because it is treated to prevent fungus or mold occurrence before germination. This particular seed is also herbicide resistant which allows the farmer to spray for weeds after the crop has already sprouted. The picture on the right shows a farmer getting ready to plant into last year’s rye crop, a system referred to as no-till planting. No-till planting combined with an herbicide resistant corn helps prevent soil erosion.

During the last two weeks, the corn crop has made lots of progress. The photo to the left was taken near Loup City, Nebraska. Loup City has received 1.9 inches of rain during the last 2 weeks which has helped the corn in the area grow close to 2 feet tall. To the right is a picture taken by the Sutton FFA Chapter. Sutton is located in Clay County which planted 139,000 acres of corn last year.

Below, the picture to the left shows progress the corn near Henderson, Nebraska has been making. Corn planting in the area is complete. The picture on the right shows the early root system of the corn plant. This system is called a brace root system. Brace roots help provide support for the plant.

Ag Facts

• In 2006 Nebraska planted 8.1 million acres of corn, and it was projected that they would plant 9 million acres this planting season.The entire United States has been projected to plant 90.5 million acres of corn.

• Custer, Dawson, and York counties planted the most corn in Nebraska during the 2006 season. Custer planted 216,000 acres while Dawson and York each planted 192,000 acres.

• The amount of corn planted in Nebraska during the last 50 years has increased by 30%.

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