Nebraska Corn, Soybean Stay on Pace as Wheat Struggles Through
Extreme Drought
From the Institute of Agriculture
and Natural Resources
Nebraska corn and soybean development remained largely on track with historical averages last week, while sorghum planting made strong progress and matched the five-year pace.
Dry conditions continued to shape the broader crop outlook, particularly for winter wheat, oats, and pasture and range. Winter wheat development was slightly ahead of normal, but crop condition ratings continued to reflect the impacts of drought and spring stress. Oats and pasture conditions were also limited, with most ratings falling in the fair to very poor categories.
For the week ending June 15, 2026, there were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Soil moisture supplies remained a concern statewide, especially at the subsoil level, where a majority of acres were rated short to very short. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 30% very short, 26% short, 39% adequate and 5% surplus, while subsoil moisture rated 28% very short, 35% short, 35% adequate and 2% surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn
•Emerged: 97% — equal to 97% last year and the five-year average.
•Condition: 1% very poor, 7% poor, 37% fair, 46% good, 9% excellent.
Soybean
•Planted: 98% — slightly ahead of 97% last year and equal to 98% for the five-year average.
•Emerged: 92% — slightly ahead of 91% last year and the five-year average.
•Condition: 1% very poor, 7% poor, 37% fair, 46% good, 9% excellent.
Sorghum
•Planted: 84% — well ahead of 66% last year, but equal to 84% for the five-year average.
Winter Wheat
•Headed: 96% — ahead of 93% last year and 92% for the five-year average.
•Condition: 58% very poor, 28% poor, 10% fair, 4% good, 0% excellent.
Oats
•Headed: 54% — equal to 54% last year, but behind 58% for the five-year average
•Condition: 22% very poor, 28% poor, 41% fair, 9% good, 0% excellent.
Pasture and Range:
•Condition: 47% very poor, 32% poor, 16% fair, 5% good, 0% excellent.
Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency, Nebraska Extension, and other reporters across the state.