Crop Update: Nebraska corn 53 percent dented

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said today that 1 percent of Nebraska's corn crop was mature. That, and the cool temperatures over the last week, are not-so-subtle reminders that fall and harvest are drawing near.

USDA also reported that 53 percent of the state's corn is dented. That is 7 points behind last year and 13 points behind the five-year average. Corn in the dough stage reached 89 percent, which is only 2 points behind last year and 5 points behind the average. Nebraska corn in good to excellent condition remained high at 76 percent. For details, be sure to visit the Nebraska Corn Board's Crop Progress Update.

Nationally, 69 percent of the crop is in good to excellent condition - last year at this time 61 percent of the crop was rated good to excellent.

USDA also said 5 percent of the country's corn was mature. That was only 1 point behind last year but 8 points behind the five-year average. It said 32 percent of the crop was dented - compared to 42 percent last year and 60 percent for the average, while 75 percent of the crop reached dough stage - compared to 81 percent last year and 88 percent on average.

For the full report, click here.

This week's photos come to the Nebraska Corn Board from the Chase County FFA Chapter. The top picture shows that ears have been filling out nicely, while the one to the left shows that denting is well underway.