By Scout Nelson
Favorable weather conditions helped Nebraska farmers move forward with spring fieldwork during the week ending June 8, 2025, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Most crops are developing faster than last year, especially corn and soybeans, while sorghum planting and wheat harvest are slightly behind.
Farmers enjoyed an average of 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. However, soil moisture remains a concern. Topsoil moisture was rated 17% very short, 33% short, 48% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 27% very short, 41% short, and only 32% adequate, with no surplus reported.
In the corn fields, 99% of planting is complete, which matches the five-year average. Corn emergence reached 95%, ahead of both last year and the average. The crop’s condition is mainly positive, rated 58% good and 11% excellent.
For soybeans, 96% of the crop is planted, and 88% has emerged, performing better than last year and the average. The condition report shows 56% good and 10% excellent.
Winter wheat is 88% headed, slightly down from last year but ahead of the five-year average. However, only 1% is rated excellent, with most (44%) in fair condition.
Oats are 96% emerged, just behind average, and 35% headed—also behind the usual pace. The oat crop condition was mostly fair, with a small portion rated excellent.
Sorghum planting lags behind, with only 46% planted, much lower than the 79% average. Dry edible beans are 68% planted, slightly behind last year but ahead of the average.
Pasture and range conditions continue to struggle, with 42% rated poor or very poor, and no areas rated excellent.
Overall, while crop progress is strong for major staples, moisture and sorghum delays are ongoing challenges.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-oticki
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Corn, Soybeans