Nebraska corn crop off to good start

Eighty-four percent of Nebraska’s corn crop was rated good to excellent as of June 7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its weekly crop progress report today. That leaves 15 percent of the crop in fair condition and only 1 percent as poor. No Nebraska corn was in the very poor category.

The numbers back the quick planting pace and ideal early spring weather most Nebraska farmers saw this spring.

Yes, they are a bit below last week's 89 percent good to excellent and 11 percent fair - but those early season numbers could only go down from such lofty heights. A year ago, only 65 percent of the crop was good to excellent - but that crop improved to 75 percent good to excellent by fall.

So overall, we're in pretty good shape, although some localized hail and heavy rain did occur over the last week.

This week's photo was submitted to the Nebraska Corn Board by the Blue Hill FFA chapter.