Sun, heat and wind throughout much of the state today will certainly help dry down Nebraska's corn crop, of which 48 percent is considered mature according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's crop progress report out this afternoon.
The difference between this year and last year couldn't be more clear in the maturity rating: last year's crop was only 14 percent mature at this point – and much of the crop would never dry down, which caused a lot of problems for farmers and grain elevators who had limited drying capacity.
Things are already looking better this year – so hopefully all those new grain dryers that got put in over last year can just sit, which would save everyone a lot of money and time.
USDA also reported that 5 percent of the state's crop was harvested, 2 points ahead of the five-year average, while 98 percent of the crop was dented – 3 points ahead of average.
Crop conditions remained high, with 83 percent of the corn crop rated good to excellent.
Nationally, 68 percent of the corn crop was rated good to excellent this week, while 21 percent was fair. Ratings a year ago were similar, with 68 percent good to excellent and 22 percent fair.
Farmers across the country have 18 percent of their crop in the bin – well ahead of the 10 percent average and quadruple last year's 4 percent.
Maturity rations nationally show the same thing as Nebraska's figures: the crop is much further along. Nationally, 69 percent of the crop is mature, compared to the five-year average of 48 percent and well head of last year's 20 percent number.
This week is also National Farm Safety & Health Week, so farmers and farm workers are encouraged to stay safe. For more, click here for a news release from the Nebraska Corn Board.
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