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Plains Ediiton USDA Information 2-4-12

NEBRASKA CROPS/WEATHER SUMMARY

Week Ending January 30, 2012

For the month of January 2012, temperatures averaged well above normal while precipitation was well below normal across most of the state, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Precipitation was light during January with most areas receiving less than a quarter of an inch of moisture, and at the end of the month, most of the State was free of snow cover. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated as short to very short across two-thirds of the State and adequate in the remaining counties. Wheat condition continued well above year ago levels, but declined during the month. Cattle are in good condition with the first calves of the season being born. Cattle have had access to stalk fields, limiting the need for supplemental feeding.



Below normal precipitation fell during January across most of the state. This resulted in little or no snow cover at the end of January. By region, snow cover was the greatest in the northern third of the State; however, depth averaged only one inch. Little or no snow was on the ground across most of the southern two thirds of the state. Temperatures averaged 10 or more degrees above normal during the first half of the month. Temperatures averaged three degrees below normal the third week but returned to above normal reading again at the end of January. During the last week of the month, soil temperatures ranged from 29 to 32 degrees.

Field Crops Report: Wheat conditions statewide rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 32 fair, 61 good, and 4 excellent, well above last year. Hay and forage supplies rated 0 percent very short, 5 short, 93 adequate and 2 surplus, near year ago levels.



Livestock, Pasture, and Range Report: Cattle and Calves condition rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 8 fair, 83 good, and 9 excellent, above last year.

The following are comments from Nebraska’s FSA County Executive Directors and County Extension Educators:

NORTHWEST – Dawes: Very dry. Winter has been mild, calving started good, wheat could use snow cover due to cold nights. Scottsbluff/Morril: Warm dry conditions so far this winter. NORTHEAST – Boone: Very little moisture, warmer than normal conditions and several very windy days during the month. Cedar: The very mild weather has left most cattle in corn stalks. Most fields clear of snow. Hay remains in good supply. Dixon: The open, mild winter has resulted in an abundance of feed on hand and winter costs have been held to a minimum. Knox: Primary activities have been care of livestock, marketing of grain and planning for the next crop season. It has been a great winter for care of livestock but there is uneasy concern about the lack of moisture in the soil profile. CENTRAL – Buffalo: No snowfall of any significance. Warm, open winter allowing farmers to finish fall field work, fertilize and soil sample. Livestock are in good condition. Feedlots are dry and dusty! Howard: Got a couple inches of snow this week which helped settle the dust. EAST CENTRAL – Dodge: Fertilizer being applied. Cattle grazing stalks. Several months since we’ve had rain or snow. Conditions are dry. Douglas: Time for rain. Sarpy/Douglas: Supply of round bales is adequate but small square bales scarce. Grazing of crop residues has been great. York: We have not received much snow this winter but we are just slightly below normal on precipitation for Oct to Jan. SOUTHWEST – Chase: We have had high winds, no moisture, and fluctuating temperatures. Keith/Arthur: Very dry. Calving season underway. Producers concerned about the lack of snow cover and moisture. Lincoln: We have had above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. Perkins: Very dry and in need of significant precipitation. SOUTH CENTRAL – Franklin: Only one snowfall of 5-inches. Soil conditions very dry. Wheat dormant. The lack of moisture may be a problem. Harlan: Fertilizing, calving, lambing, and kidding with no measurable moisture for the month of January. Phelps: Some cows are beginning to calve. The warm, dry weather has made for good calving conditions. Webster: It is getting really dry here with no winter precipitation to speak of. Could be bad come spring. SOUTHEAST – Gage: Pressure to move hay south. Recent snow has wetted surface and halted pasture and fence land conversion to cropland. Nuckolls: Need moisture! Pawnee: Producers are applying anhydrous. They continue to clear land to increase their tillable acres for 2012 planting. Calving is slow. Wheat showing some stress. It is very dry. Richardson: Unusually warm and dry winter thus far.

National Slaughter Cattle Summary

Week Ending February 1, 2012

OKC West-El Reno Livestock Auction is estimating 5,000 head of feeder cattle and calves for the sale Wednesday Feb 01, 2012.

Omaha afternoon wheat, corn, oats & soybeans

February 1, 2012

Prices bid or paid per bushel, except grain Sorghum per CWT., at rural Nebraska elevators as of 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 01, 2012.

US No. 1 Hard Red Winter Wheat 6.32-7.01

US No. 2 Yellow Corn 6.14-6.37

US No. 2 Yellow Grain Sorghum 10.55-11.04

No 1 Yellow Soybeans 11.08-11.85

September 2010 Monthly Prices:

Low High Average

Hard Red Winter Wheat 6.32 7.01 6.72

Yellow Corn 6.14 6.37 6.26

Yellow Grain Sorghum 10.55 11.04 10.79

Yellow Soybeans 11.08 11.85 12.49


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