Corn harvest just beginning

Although 43 percent of Nebraska’s corn is considered mature, harvest is just beginning in a few pockets in the state and is about 4 percent complete, according to today's U.S. Department of Agriculture crop progress report. Some of that early corn is high-moisture corn destined for feedlots.

The main focus for farmers right now is the soybean harvest and letting the corn crop dry down in the field. The five-year average for corn crop maturity is 74 percent, which puts Nebraska’s crop about 10 days behind. However, there is no frost forecast and dry, cool weather should allow things to move along. Overall, Nebraska’s corn crop is rated 75 percent good or excellent, which is 5 points behind last year. For details, including photos of the crop from Nebraska FFA chapters, be sure to visit the Nebraska Corn Board’s Crop Progress Update page.

Nationally, 9 percent of the crop is harvested, compared to the five-year average of 21 percent and last year's 29 percent. (Soybeans are also 9 percent harvested, compared to the average of 21 percent.) For USDA's report, click here.

The image at the left is from the Heartland FFA Chapter. If you look closely, you can see a combine in the distance.