Nebraska Wheat Crop Report

According to the USDA Crop Progress Report for the week ending May 12, 2019, there were 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 0 percent very short, 4 short, 79 adequate, and 17 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 0 percent very short, 2 short, 84 adequate, and 14 surplus. Winter wheat conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 3 poor, 29 fair, 58 good, and 9 excellent. Winter wheat headed was 2 percent, near last year’s 1 percent, but behind the 12 percent average. In the northern Panhandle, producers said fields have finally dried out. A lot of spraying of fields and fieldwork was resuming. Conditions overall looked good. Some later planted wheat stands were thinner. Wheat was nearing boot stage, but no flag leaves were visible. No disease pressures were reported.

According to producers in the southern Panhandle, moisture levels are good. Some wheat in the region has completed jointing, while other areas remain behind in growth due to cooler conditions. Some lower spots in fields are drowned out due to excess moisture earlier in the season, but overall condition of the wheat looks good. No disease pressures were reported. In southwestern Nebraska conditions varied. The southernmost part of the region experienced freezing temperatures on wheat that was jointed. Producers said frozen fields would certainly experience some loss of yield potential, though they were uncertain yet of the full extent. Some northern areas also experienced cooler temperatures, but all freeze damage in that region appears to be cosmetic. Soil moisture levels across the region are adequate. No disease pressures were reported.

In the south central region of Nebraska, producers said the wheat looks good. Some later planted wheat was still behind and stood less than 6 inches tall. Soil moisture levels were adequate. No disease pressures were reported.

In southeastern Nebraska, producers reported wet conditions, with some areas of the state receiving an excess of 4 inches of rain in the last week. Warmer temperatures were helping wheat growth catch up, but producers said overall growth remains behind, though conditions of fields appeared mostly good. Flag leaf has started to emerge on most wheat in the area. No disease pressures were reported, though producers reported being vigilant as weather conditions were conducive for disease pressure.