What’s Up With Nebraska Crops?

USDA published the latest Crop Progress report on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Here’s a closer look at recent weather and the status of Nebraska’s most important crops in late-August.

Weather

Travis Gustafson, agronomic service representative for Syngenta, said, “August in Nebraska has been dry. We had a great June and July for grain production. We really couldn’t have asked for better conditions in those months, but August really flipped over to dry. This will put a cap on our top end yield.”

The weather in Nebraska has been quite mild recently. He said, “We need warmer temperatures to finish grain fill and get starch lines dropping, but we haven’t seen that kind of weather in the last week of August.”

In Tuesday’s Crop Progress report, USDA said farmers had 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork the week that ended Aug. 31, compared to 6 days this time last year.

USDA rated Nebraska topsoil moisture 4% very short, 16% short, 69% adequate, and 11% surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions in the state were rated 5% very short, 23% short, 64% adequate, and 8% surplus.

Corn

Acreage Estimates

According to the June 30 Acreage report, Nebraska farmers planted 10.3 million acres of corn in 2025. This is up from 10.05 million acres from the previous year.

Pest and Disease Pressure

Gustafson admitted Nebraska got some helpful light showers, but they didn’t provide enough moisture across a broad area. 

He added, “In Nebraska, the main thing concern for corn growers right now is keeping up with irrigation. The last time around with irrigation should be within the next couple of weeks for most growers. Also, the weather has really cooled off, creating fears of an early frost.” 

Pin-Chu Lai, University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension entomologist, and Jeff Bradshaw, director of of the doctor of plant health professional program, said in an Extension article that western bean cutworms can be a serious pest in corn and dry beans. They recommend scouting for western bean cutworm egg masses in corn fields now. Insecticide treatment is recommended if 5-8% of the corn plants have egg masses or larvae, and treatment should be made when 95% of the plants have tasseled. 

A map published by the Crop Protection Network shows there are 43 counties with reported tar spot.

Corn Dough

The latest Crop Progress report said 88% of Nebraska’s corn crop has reached the dough stage. The five-year average is 94%. Last year at this time 92% of the state’s corn had reached the dough stage.

Corn Dented

USDA said 59% of Nebraska’s corn crop has reached the dent stage, behind the five-year average of 70%. Last year at this time 72% of the state’s corn had reached the dent stage.

Corn Mature

The latest Crop Progress report said 13% of the Nebraska corn crop has reached maturity. The five-year average is 15%. Last year at this time 22% of the state’s corn had reached maturity.

Corn Condition

USDA rated Nebraska corn 1% very poor, 4% poor, 19% fair, 49% good, and 27% excellent for the week that ended Aug. 31.

The 18-state average rating is 3% very poor, 6% poor, 22% fair, 50% good, and 19% excellent.

Soybeans

Acreage Estimates

The Acreage report published June 30 said Nebraska planted 5.0 million acres of soybeans this year. That is down from 5.3 million acres in 2024.

Gustafson said, “Soybean growers in Nebraska are looking at that last time around with irrigation as well. Soybeans are not quite finished yet and late water can make a big difference in yield at harvest time.”

Pest and Disease Pressure

Lai and Bradshaw said western bean cutworm is difficult to scout in dry bean, though moth flight data are helpful in making predictions. 

Actual bean damage and economic risk from larval feeding require scouting, and they said risk will increase if harvest is delayed or windrowed beans remain on the ground for an extended period of time in the fall.

Soybeans Setting Pods

The latest Crop Progress report said 92% of Nebraska soybeans are setting pods. The five-year average is 98%, and progress was at 98% this time last year. 

Soybeans Dropping Leaves

USDA reported 5% of Nebraska soybeans are dropping leaves. The five-year average is 17%, and progress was at 12% this time last year. 

Soybean Condition

USDA rated Nebraska soybeans 1% very poor, 3% poor, 22% fair, 53% good, and 21% excellent for the week that ended Aug. 31.

The 18-state average ratings are 3% very poor, 7% poor, 25% fair, 51% good, and 14% excellent over the same time period.

Sorghum

Acreage Estimates

The USDA Acreage Report said Nebraska planted 280,000 acres of sorghum, down 10,000 acres from last year. 

Sorghum Headed

USDA reported 89% of Nebraska sorghum is headed, compared to 99% last year. That is behind of the five-year average of 99%.

Sorghum Coloring

Forty-two percent of the state’s sorghum was reported coloring, though the crop last year had reached 60%, and the five-year average is 58%. 

Sorghum Mature

USDA reported 2% of Nebraska sorghum is mature, compared to 3% last year. That is behind of the five-year average of 3%.

Sorghum Condition

USDA rated Nebraska sorghum 1% very poor, 2% poor, 17% fair, 42% good, and 38% excellent for the week that ended Aug. 31. 

The six-state average rating was 3% very poor, 8% poor, 25% fair, 48% good, and 16% excellent over the same time period.

Oats

Acreage Estimates

USDA’s acreage report said Nebraska farmers planted 145,000 acres of wheat in 2025, up from 120,000 acres from last year.

Oats Harvested

USDA noted 97% of oats have been harvested in Nebraska. This is slightly behind the five-year average of 99%, and behind last year’s 99%.

Pasture and Range

USDA rated pasture and range conditions in the state 4% very poor, 15% poor, 36% fair, 37% good, and 8% excellent.

The 48-state average is 11% very poor, 20% poor, 31% fair, 29% good, and 9% excellent.