May showers continue to delay corn planting

Above-normal rainfall and cooler temperatures this month are playing havoc with farmers trying to get into the fields to finish corn planting.

According to the weekly Nebraska Weather and Crop report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office, corn planting was rated at 55 percent complete as of May 11.

The report said that's well behind last year's average of 64 percent complete and five days behind the average of 71 percent.

Corn emerged was 5 percent, which is behind 23 percent from last year and nine days behind the average of 24 percent.

The wet, cool weather is also delaying soybean planting statewide, as only 6 percent of the crop has been planted, behind last year's 23 percent and the five-year average of 19 percent.

So far this month, Grand Island has received 2.06 inches of rain, 0.61 of an inch above normal. The average day/night temperature so far this month for Grand Island is 54.2 degrees, which is 2.9 degrees below normal.

The bulk of the May rain came over the weekend throughout Central Nebraska, according to the National Weather Service in Hastings.

The following are rainfall amounts from the weekend for selected area communities:

Ord, 1.45 inches; Dannebrog, 1.37 inches; St. Paul, 1.32 inches; Grand Island, 1.23 inches; Hastings, 1.23 inches; Genoa, 1.16 inches; Fullerton, 1.11 inches; and Aurora, 1.08 inches.

Wind gusts Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, were strong, with Aurora experiencing a wind gust of 50 mph; Grand Island and Kearney, 49 mph; Hastings, 48 mph; and Ord, 41 mph.

There's a 20 percent chance of showers before 1p.m. today, with a high near 62 degrees.

A 20 percent chance of showers returns to the forecast on Wednesday night, with a low around 44.

On Thursday, there's a 30 percent chance of showers, with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

A 20 percent chance of showers continues into Thursday night. Beginning Friday through the weekend, no rain is in the forecast, with highs in the 70s and lows in the upper 40s.

The crop and weather report said that wheat conditions statewide are estimated at 64 percent good or excellent, better than last year's 61 percent good or excellent.

Wheat jointed was 44 percent, behind last year's 80 percent and 11 days behind the five-year average of 78 percent.

Statewide, alfalfa conditions were rated at 77 percent good or excellent, well above last year's 47 percent good or excellent.

Pasture and range conditions were rated at 67 percent good or excellent, below last year. While the rain provided moisture for grass growth, cool temperatures slowed development, delaying cattle movement to pastures.