Corn harvest in the snow

Some great photos and accompanying article in the Lincoln Journal Star highlight one Nebraska farmer's efforts to harvest the rest of his corn crop through snow drifts.

Check out the article here or by clicking on the photo.

Alan Rippe, a farmer from the Tecumseh-Syracuse area, asked for some advice via an Internet chat board -- and received it from some folks in Canada -- "my neighbors to the north," he told reporter Art Hovey.

Rippe noted that the few hundred acres he had left represents "a lot of dollars out in the field" - so he thought he should give it a try.

The newspaper notes that this harvest was known as the latest harvest since 1982, but as it dragged on, the latest since 1967. Yet we're in 2010 now - so, as reporter Hovey noted in his article, "it becomes more confusing to settle on a calendar comparison."

PHOTO: Robert Becker / Lincoln Journal Star

Crop report has ‘record breaking’ written all over it

Nebraska farmers brought in a record 1.58 billion bushel corn crop this growing season -- produced on nearly 4 percent fewer acres than the previous record thanks to a record yield of 178.0 bushels per acre.

“It is encouraging to see USDA report that corn supplies continue to grow,” Don Hutchens, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board, said in a news release today. “This despite the fact that 354,000 acres with a value of about $221 million are still standing in Nebraska fields. That, too, may be a record for January, but we certainly hope farmers have a chance to get those bushels harvested.”

Nationally, USDA said farmers produced a record 13.15 billion bushels on nearly 8 percent fewer acres than the previous record. National yields blew by the previous record by nearly 5 bushels per acre to 165.2 bushels.

Yet about 5 percent of the nation's crop is still in the field -- with a value of $2.29 billion. USDA said it will resurvey farmers in some states and adjust acres, yields, production and stocks estimates if necessary in its March 10 report. Nebraska will not be part of that survey.

Hutchens said it is important for farmers and grain elevators to monitor grain they have in storage to maintain quality. “This was a crop that struggled to dry down in the field and had to be harvested with a higher moisture content than normal,” he said. “While everyone worked hard to get this done, we know there is some wet corn in bins that may require additional attention come spring.”

With corn production continuing to expand thanks to improved technology, farming practices and know-how, the need to develop and support new markets grows, too, according to Curt Friesen, a member of the Nebraska Corn Board and a farmer from Henderson.

“Nebraska is blessed with 23 operating ethanol plants, some 2.4 million head of cattle on feed, a wealth of other livestock and poultry and a solid processing sector to utilize this record corn crop,” Friesen said. “Every time a bushel of corn is used in the state, positive economic returns ripple through rural communities and the state’s economy as a whole.”

Yet without the efforts of developing and growing those markets, corn farmers and the state’s economy would suffer, said Friesen, who is chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board’s market development committee.

For more on today's USDA reports, click here.

Big corn crop gets bigger, yields blow past previous record

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said this morning that U.S. corn farmers produced an estimated 13.15 billion bushels of corn in 2009-10, a figure that is up 2 percent from the November forecast and 1 percent above the previous record of 13.0 billion bushels set in 2007.

Yields were estimated at a record 165.2 bushels per acre, up 2.3 bushels from the November forecast and a whopping 4.9 bushels above the previous record of 160.3 bushels per acre set in 2004.

Production at that level means the total 2009-10 corn supply stands at 14.83 billion bushels (13.15 billion in production plus a 1.67 carry-in plus 10 million in imports).

In Nebraska, USDA gave a crop estimate of 1.58 billion bushels off a yield of 178.0 bushels per acre. Both are records -- with the previous production record coming in 2007 at 1.47 billion bushels and previous yield coming in 2004 at 166 bushels per acre.

Supply/Demand
In its supply and demand report, USDA estimated that corn for feed use would be 5.55 billion, an increase 150 million from December. It left corn for exports unchanged at 2.1 billion and corn for ethanol unchanged at 4.2 billion.

The bottom line is an estimate of ending stocks rising to 1.76 billion bushels, up 89 million from December's estimate.

Corn stocks
USDA said corn stored in all positions as of December 1, 2009, totaled 10.9 billion bushels, which is up 9 percent from December 1, 2008. Of these stocks, 7.45 billion bushels are stored on farms, up 15 percent from a year earlier, while 3.47 billion are stored off farms, which is down 3 percent from last year.

In Nebraska, USDA said 1.33 billion bushels of corn are stored in all positions, with 930 million being stored on farms and 404 million being stored off farms. A year ago 1.19 billion bushels were in storage, with 780 being stored on farms and 407 being stored off farms.

Millions of dollars of Nebraska corn still in the field

With 12 percent of the crop still in the field -- and a winter storm barreling down on the state -- the Nebraska Corn Board noted today that, while 12 percent may not seem like much, it's about 180 million bushels, or about $630 million worth of corn.

“If it is your crop still in the field it will create some sleepless nights and financial concern,” said Don Hutchens, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board, in a news release.

Nebraska Corn Board chairman Alan Tiemann noted that the old adage in agriculture “never count your chickens until they’re hatched” also goes for corn farmers – “never count your bushels until they’re in the bin.”

Nebraska is predicted to harvest the state’s largest corn crop in history this year, with a total production of 1.58 billion bushels on a record yield of 178 bushels per acre -- yet getting that crop in the bin is proving to be a challenge.

In audio cuts that accompany the release, Hutchens said he expects that all the corn will make it out of the field - but how long that will take depends on the storm and Mother Nature. He said standability has been good so far, with some corn in the state being hammered with snow now for the third time.

12% of Nebraska corn still in the field

Nebraska farmers have harvested 88 percent of the state's crop, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said today. That is good news, for sure, although it does raise concerns about winter weather blowing its way into the state this week.

As Don Hutchens, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board noted in a Twitter post today:

OK it's worse than I thought. We have 12% of NE Corn in the field yet or $630 m. value, with a storm rolling in. Pray for standability.

Looking at USDA's report doesn't offer much by comparison's sake, either. While harvest advanced 10 points from last week, by last year at this point USDA had already stopped tracking Nebraska's crop progress because the crop was already in the bin.

The same is true on a national level. This week nationwide, USDA said 88 percent of the crop was harvested - up from 79 percent last week. A year ago, though, harvest was already done. Ditto for the five-year average.

Harvest numbers improve, but still well behind

KHAS-TV aired a report Sunday night - Wet weather slows down harvest - that was spot on. It features an interview with Brandon Hunnicutt (@cornfedfarmer) of Giltner, current president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association.

You can read the article and watch the video here.

The report noted that yields have been outstanding this year. Unfortunately for some farmers, the yield bump is being offset somewhat by increased costs to dry the crop for storage. Cool, wet weather didn't let the crop dry down in the field, which means propane and natural gas bills will be up.

The wet crop also slowed down harvest because grain elevators can only dry so much grain at a time.

As of Sunday, 78 percent of Nebraska's corn crop was harvested, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said yesterday. That's a 13 point jump from the week before but still well behind last year's 90 percent and the five-year average of 96 percent complete.

Nationally, 79 percent of the crop is in the bin - up from last week's 68 percent but behind last year's 94 percent and the five-year average of 97 percent.

Because of the late harvest, USDA noted that it will continue crop progress reports an additional week. That mean's next week's report (Dec. 7) will be the final one for the season.

Nebraska corn harvest 65 percent complete

Farmers in Nebraska made good progress in getting the corn in again this past week - with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in its weekly crop progress report today, noting that 65 percent of the crop was harvested for the week ending Nov. 22.

That's up from 48 percent harvested last week. A year ago farmers were 80 percent complete, while the five-year average is 92 percent complete.

Certainly some farmers have wrapped up, but others will be busy juggling the busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend with spending some quality time in the combine.

For more Nebraska details, click on the Crop Progress update above.

Nationally, 68 percent of the crop is in the bin. That's up solidly from last week's 54 percent but behind last year's 87 percent and the five-year average of 94 percent.

As some farmers wrap up harvest, electric fences go up and cattle are turned out to graze on cornstalk stubble, as shown in this week's photo - taken on a foggy morning. This photo came to the Nebraska Corn Board from the Blue Hill FFA chapter.

Nebraska corn 48 percent harvested

In its weekly crop progress report issued today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that 48 percent of Nebraska’s corn crop was in the bin - that’s an 18-point increase from last week.

Harvest is still behind last year and the average. A year ago, Nebraska farmers were 66 percent complete, while the five-year average is 86 percent harvested.

Progress, however, is progress, and many farmers are only a dry week away from wrapping up harvesting their record crop. Crop quality and plant health remain high overall and yield reports from the field are outstanding.

USDA's yield estimate from last week - 178 bushels per acre in Nebraska - certainly seems doable despite the tough weather over the last six to eight weeks. That would put Nebraska's crop at 1.58 billion bushels. Both yield and crop production would set records.

This week's photo came to the Nebraska Corn Board from the Heartland FFA chapter. The photo shows a few corn stalks broken off at the top, but farmers are not overly concerned about that. Stalks just needs to stand strong to  hold up the ear - and that seems to be happening.

Nebraska corn 30 percent harvested

Good news came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture today when its weekly crop progress report confirmed that progress was indeed made on getting Nebraska's corn crop in the bin.

USDA reported that 30 percent of Nebraska's corn crop was harvested as of Nov. 8 - a solid 12 point jump from last week's 18 percent complete. A dry week made a huge difference, as farmers got moving quickly. A year ago at this time 55 percent of the crop was in the bin, while the five-year average is 77 percent.

Nationally, 37 percent of the crop is harvested, also a 12 point jump from last week's 25 percent. A year ago farmers were at 69 percent complete, while the five-year average is 82 percent.

Good progress on the corn is an indication that soybean is about wrapped up. Indeed, USDA said 90 percent of Nebraska's beans were harvested, and 75 percent are out nationally. The Nebraska figure is only 7 points behind the average, while the national figure is 17 points behind.

This week's photo shows combine headlines at night - was a common seen in Nebraska this past week. Farmers  were working hard around the clock to get caught up on harvest. The photo came to the Nebraska Corn Board from the Imperial FFA Chapter.

Crop progress?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture came out with its latest crop progress report today -- although progress is certainly open for debate, especially if you live in western Nebraska and got socked with a another foot of snow last week.

USDA said 18 percent of Nebraska's corn crop was harvested as of Nov. 1 -- only a 3 point bump from last week's 15 percent. A year ago at this time, farmers were one-third done. The five year average is 62 percent harvested.

While moving from 15 to 18 percent harvested is progress, it is not the 15-20 point jump we would see during a good week. In looking back to last year, we were 18 percent completed by Oct. 19, but then reeled off a solid couple of weeks late in October and early in November.

Perhaps we'll see a good run this week should the dry forecast stay in place.

Nationally, USDA said 25 percent of the crop was in the bin -- only a 5 point improvement from last week. Last year, the 53 percent of the crop was harvested already, and the five-year average is 71 percent complete.

A week from today, USDA will release its next crop production report. It will be interesting to see how October's weather plays into the numbers. Crop conditions remain generally above last year and yield reports from the field have been quite high.

For a couple of harvest videos (shot in the yield via mobile phones), check out the links below courtesy of a couple of Nebraska farmers using Twitter and TwitVid.

The first is from Mark McHargue (@hogs_r_us on Twitter). He posted this video of twin-row corn being harvested. He was seeing yields of 270-280 bushels per acre in the part of the field where he was recording.


The second is from Ryan Weeks (@HuskerFarm), who posted this video. It shows some irrigated land yielding about 250 bu. per acre and the field as a whole around 190. Weeks said he recorded the video on his Blackberry Tour.

Nebraska corn only 15 percent harvested

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said today that only 15 percent of the Nebraska's corn crop is in the bin. That’s only a 2 point increase from last week and a 5 point increase from two weeks ago.

Wetter than normal weather has hampered farmers’ efforts to get the crop out of the field. Wet weather and cooler temperatures have also prevented the crop from drying down in the field as quickly as farmers would like.

Last year at this time, 21 percent of the crop was harvested, while the five-year average is 47 percent harvested. Many farmers are expecting to be harvesting their record crop well into November. In fact, three weeks ago the joke was eating turkey dinner in the combine. Now it's Christmas dinner. Dealing with the weather goes with the territory, though, and farmers are hoping a few dry days this week will allow them to make some progress.

For details on Nebraska's crop, be sure to check out the Nebraska Corn Board's crop progress update.

On the positive side, 80 percent of Nebraska's crop remains in good to excellent condition.

Nationally, that figure stands at 69 percent, down a point from last week.

Also on the national front, 20 percent of the corn crop is harvested, only a 3 point gain from last week. Last year the crop was 37 percent harvested. The five-year average is 58 percent. A long road ahead, indeed.

Thankfully, many farmers are reporting the crop to be holding up well (despite rain, snow, wind, etc.). Although the tops of some stalks have broken off that should hopefully not impact the overall harvested crop, although it could slow progress.

This week's photo, showing a mature ear of corn hanging downward, came to the Nebraska Corn Board from the Imperial FFA Chapter.

Harvest progressing slowly but 82% of Nebraska corn is good to excellent

Thirteen percent of Nebraska's corn was harvested as of Oct. 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in it's weekly crop progress report today.

That's up only 3 points from last weeks' 10 percent harvested -- and behind last year's 17 percent harvested at this point. The five-year average is 34 percent harvested and certainly shows what the cool, wet weather has done to slow things down this year -- not only in keeping farmers out of the field but slowing the natural drying process of the grain.

Nationally, 17 percent of the crop is in the bin, up only 4 points from last week. A year ago, 28 percent of the crop was in the bin -- and the five-year average is 46 percent.

The nation's soybean crop is only 30 percent harvested (it's 55 percent in Nebraska), so there are some long days ahead there, too. The five-year average this this week is 72 percent harvested (75 percent in Nebraska).

Crop conditions remain very high. In Nebraska, 82 percent of the corn crop was rated by USDA to be in good to excellent condition. Nationally, that figure is 70 percent, the same as two weeks ago. This is still high especially considering the frost/snow/cold the crop has endured over the last two weeks. (A year ago, 62 percent of the nation's corn crop was rated good to excellent.)

As for crop maturity, USDA said 78 percent of Nebraska's crop was mature, compared to last year's 82 percent and the five-year average of 94 percent. Nationally, 83 percent of the crop was mature, compared to 92 percent last year and the five-year average of 97 percent.

Ten percent of Nebraska's corn is in the bin

Ten percent of Nebraska's corn crop was in the bin as of Oct. 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its weekly crop progress report today.

That's up four points from last week but is three points behind last year and well behind the five-year average of 24 percent harvested by this point.

USDA also said 76 percent of the state's corn crop was mature as of Oct. 11. That's compared to 63 percent last week, 77 percent last year and 89 percent over the five-year average.

Considering the cold weather (and snow) over parts of the state this weekend, it's safe to say the crop is done developing. Some farmers were glad for the hard freeze because they hope it will help the crop dry down more quickly. Snow and rain, though, aren't part of that ideal scenario!

While some farmers were back in the fields yesterday, others were waiting for the corn to dry down - while a few in the western part of the state were waiting for snow to melt. It's been one of those weeks.

Nationally, 74 percent of the crop is mature, up considerably from last week's 57 percent but behind last year's 84 percent and the five-year average of 92 percent.

USDA said 13 percent of the country's corn crop is in the bin, up three points from last week. That's behind last year's 20 percent and the five-year average of 35 percent.

It will be interesting to see how the crop comes through the cold snap that spread through the Corn Belt over the weekend. Will  yields drop off? Will crop condition reports fall?

As of Oct. 11, though, USDA said 80 percent of Nebraska's crop remained in good to excellent condition. Nationally, it said 70 percent of the crop was in that category. (A year ago, the national figure was 62 percent good to excellent.)

While it would be nice to say corn harvest will be the focal point for farmers over the next week, many with soybeans to harvest have a ways to go, too. In Nebraska, only 45 percent of the crop is out, compared to 58 percent last year. Nationally, only 23 percent are in the bin, compared to 49 percent last year and the five-year average of 57 percent.

Nebraska yield estimate jumps to 178 bu./acre

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today estimated Nebraska's average corn yield at 178 bushels per acre -- 9 bushels more than its estimate last month. If realized, it would easily break the state's previous record of 166 bu. per acre set in 2004.

With the increase in yields came only a slight bump in production - to 1.58 billion bushels. That, too would be a record, surpassing the 1.47 billion produced in 2007. The reason production didn't jump further is because USDA lowered it's planted and harvested acre estimates, with harvested acres dropping to 8.9 million, off from last month's 9.1 million.

(In case you were wondering, in 2007, when Nebraska set its last production record, harvested acres were 9.2 million -- meaning if estimates hold we'll produce 110 million more bushels of corn this year on 300,000 fewer harvested acres.)

Nationally, USDA increased its yield estimate to a record 164.2 bushels per acre, up from last month's 161.9. Harvested acres were reduced to 79.29 million (from 80.00). That pegs total U.S. corn production at 13.02 billion bushels. That's an 8 percent increase from last year and only a stone's throw from the record of 13.07 billion set in 2007.

(Harvested acres in 2007 were 86.54 million - meaning we'll grow as much corn this year as two years ago but do so on 7.25 million fewer acres. Improvements in everything from hybrids to management practices helps this along, but Mother Nature played an important role this year, too.)

On the demand side of the equation, USDA increased feed/residual use 50 million bushels to 5.4 billion and food/seed/industrial use by 5 million bushels to 5.48 billion (the increase was for corn sweetener because sugar supplies are tight). Ethanol use, a subset of food/seed/industrial, was left unchanged at 4.2 billion. Exports were lowered 50 million bushels to 2.15 billion.

The bottom line figure - ending stocks - increased to 1.67 billion bushels. The estimated average price remained unchanged at $3.35. That's 71 cents below last year and 85 cents below 2007.

For the full crop production report, click here.
For the supply and demand report, click here.

No matter what USDA reports, a farmer in Nebraska noted that first and foremost on his mind - and the minds of farmers he's talked to across the Corn Belt - is getting the crop harvested and in the bin. This is especially true for those facing standability issues.

Corn harvest creeping along

Farmers in Nebraska have harvested 6 percent of the corn crop, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said today. That's up from last week's 3 percent but behind the five-year average of 16 percent. (Last year at this time, 8 percent of the crop was in the bin.)

Many farmers are still wrapping up soybeans. USDA said 27 percent of soybeans have been harvested so far.

USDA said 63 percent of Nebraska corn was mature, up significantly from the 33 percent mature last week but behind the 80 percent average.

As for crop condition, USDA said 81 percent of Nebraska corn is in good to excellent condition.

On a national level, 70 percent of the crop was rated good to excellent, which is 9 points ahead of last year; 57 percent of the crop was considered mature, 27 points behind the five-year average. Only 10 percent of the crop has been harvested, up 4 points from last week but still 15 points behind average.

Many weeks of busy fall work remain for farmers across the country.

For the full crop progress report, click here.

Corn harvest begins in Nebraska

About one-third of Nebraska’s anticipated record corn crop is mature, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture crop progress report.

Although the current estimate of 33 percent mature is 7 points behind last year and well behind the five-year average of 66 percent mature, some early corn is already coming out of fields. (USDA estimated that 3 percent of Nebraska's crop is in the bin, which is 6 points behind the five-year average.)

Soybean harvest, however, is taking center stage in many areas across the state.

Virtually the entire Nebraska crop has reached the dented stage, and Nebraska corn in good to excellent condition has remained steady at 79 percent. That's four points above last year and nine points above two years ago.

For details on Nebraska's crop, be sure to check out the Nebraska Corn Board's crop progress update.

Nationally, 37 percent of the crop is mature, off from 49 percent last year and the five-year average of 72 percent. As expected, harvest is also behind - only 6 percent, compared to 18 percent for the average.

Crop conditions, however, remain record high: 68 percent of the corn crop is in good to excellent condition, off one point from last week but 7 points above last year.

This week's photo came to the Nebraska Corn Board from the Blue Hill FFA Chapter.

Harvest getting underway in Nebraska; comments sought on RFS-2

The Nebraska corn crop continues to push toward maturity -- and you can find a few corn and soybean fields already harvested across the state.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's crop progress report issued today, 15 percent of Nebraska's corn crop mature. This is up 4 points from last week but still behind last year's 19 percent mature and well behind the five-year average of 4 percent.

Nationally, 21 percent of the crop is mature -- compared to 30 percent last year at this time and the 55 percent average.

As for overall crop condition, 79 percent of Nebraska's crop remains in good to excellent condition. On a national scale, 68 percent of the crop is rated good to excellent. 

With harvest beginning to gain momentum across Nebraska, and the anticipation of a record corn crop, the Nebraska Corn Board is urging producers to continue focusing on what is happening in our nation’s capital.

When the Nebraska Corn Board requested farmers to send in their comments on a request for e15, more than 5,000 did so, knowing they could produce a crop that can provide enough corn to feed, fuel and provide fiber for our state, nation and world. (And do so on less land!)

The Nebraska Corn Board is again requesting that farmers let their voices be heard. This time in regards to the Environmental Protection Agency's RFS-2 draft regulations. Just go to the Nebraska Corn Board’s website, click on the Action Alert icon and submit comments. It only takes a couple of minutes.

You can find more information about this effort here.

Comments are due this Friday (Sept. 25), so don’t wait! Act now.

This week's photo came to the Nebraska Corn Board from the Imperial FFA Chapter.

Nebraska corn crop behind average but ahead of last year

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said today that 9 percent of Nebraska’s corn crop is mature -- up 3 points from last week. While 14 points behind the five-year average, corn at this stage is actually 1 point ahead of last year’s crop at this time.

USDA said 85 percent of Nebraska's crop is dented, which 2 points ahead of last year and only 4 points behind the five-year average.

Nebraska corn in good to excellent condition reached 79 percent, with 14 percent of the crop being rated fair and only 7 percent poor to very poor. This is comparable with last year's crop condition at this time.

For more on Nebraska's crop, be sure to check out the Nebraska Corn Board's Crop Progress Update.

Nationally, 12 percent of the crop is mature -- compared to 17 percent last year and the five-year average of 37 percent.

USDA said 66 percent of the country's corn crop is dented, compared to 76 percent last year and 86 percent for the five-year average.

Certainly this year's corn crop is behind overall, but some heat over the next week will help -- and some farmers are hoping for a late frost.

For USDA's full report, click here.

This week's photo came to the Nebraska Corn Board from the Heartland FFA Chapter.

Nebraska corn 6 percent mature

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said today that 6 percent of Nebraska's corn crop was mature as of September 6. That's 1 point ahead of last year at this time but 6 points behind the five-year average.

USDA reported that 69 percent of the state's crop is dented -- even with a year ago but 11 points behind the average.

Corn in the dough stage reached 96 percent, which is 2 points ahead of last year and only 1 point behind the average. USDA said 77 percent of Nebraska's corn crop was in good to excellent condition, a figure that is on par with last year.

Corn is beginning to dry down in several parts of the state. Depending on weather, some early corn will be coming out in a couple of weeks.

Nationally, USDA said 8 percent of the crop is mature - off 2 points from last year but 15 points behind the five-year average. Only half the nation's corn crop is dented - 9 points behind last year and 25 points behind the five-year average. Meanwhile, 86 percent of the crop is in the dough stage, compared to 90 percent last year and 94 percent for the average.

USDA said 69 percent of the crop is in good to excellent condition.

Needless to say, an early frost would not be a good thing for a good chunk of the nation's corn crop.

For the full USDA report, click here.

This week's photo comes to the Nebraska Corn Board from the Blue Hill FFA Chapter. It shows corn beginning to turn - a sure sign that harvest nears.

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.