2015 Nebraska Corn Kernels Blog Spotlight

As this year comes to a close, we want to thank our Nebraska Corn Kernels readers for your continued support. We write for you and appreciate feedback and conversations from what we put together. Now is your time to read the most popular posts if you missed them!

Looking at this year in review, here are the Top 12 posts of 2015 - the best of each month.

January - Where's the....pork??
February - Ag Champions contest announced for Nebraska FFA chapters
March - Nebraska Corn Board Presents Awards of Recognition and Achievement
April - World Land Prices
May - 2015 Nebraska Corn Interns Announced
June - Large farms are good for the environment. True or False?
July - Nebraska Farm Family Featured in Exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
August - Time to celebrate or not?
September - Winners of Inaugural Ag Champions Contest Announced
October - Subway’s decision to give in to food-fear marketing
November - 5 Year-End Tax Planning Tips for Farmers
December - Scott Spohn Helps Put the Corn in Corn Flakes

Happy New Year bountiful blessings and harvests to you in 2016!

Harvest Near Completion

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

For the week ending November 22, 2015, snow blanketed western counties early in the week and northeastern counties over the weekend, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rain preceded the snow in many areas with an inch or more common in the eastern two-thirds of the State. Fieldwork came to a halt as soils became too wet or snow covered to work. Harvest was near completion in most areas except for the Panhandle. Temperatures averaged above normal across the east and below normal in western areas. There were 3.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 21 short, 71 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 25 short, 69 adequate, and 1 surplus. Corn harvested was at 95 percent, equal to last year, and near 97 for the five-year average.

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Corn Harvested at 92%

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

For the week ending November 15, 2015, temperatures averaged six to eight degrees above normal across the northeast and two to four degrees elsewhere, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall of up to an inch was recorded across portions of the eastern third of the State, with lesser amounts elsewhere. Snow was recorded in central and southwestern counties with harvest progress slowed at midweek. Producers with harvest complete were working on fall tillage, fertilizer applications and livestock care. There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 26 short, 67 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 28 short, 65 adequate, and 1 surplus. Corn harvested was at 92 percent, near 89 last year and 94 for the five-year average.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables HERE. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Harvest Continues to Advance

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

For the week ending November 8, 2015, the eastern half of the State was dry, with temperatures averaging six to nine degrees above normal as fall harvest activities wound down, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Harvest continued to advance in the west with precipitation of more than a half inch limited to North Central counties. Producers with harvest complete were turning their attention to fall tillage and fertilizer applications as well as livestock care. There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 29 short, 63 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 29 short, 64 adequate, and 1 surplus. Corn harvested was at 87 percent, ahead of 76 last year, but equal to the five-year average.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables HERE. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Corn Harvested at 75%

For the week ending November 1, 2015, limited precipitation combined with near normal temperatures allowed fall harvest activities to advance, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation was limited to half an inch or less in most areas. Corn harvest was slow to advance in Panhandle counties as producers waited for grain moisture levels to decline. Cattle producers continued to move livestock to crop residues. There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 28 short, 64 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 29 short, 64 adequate, and 1 surplus. Corn harvested was at 75 percent, ahead of 57 last year, but near 77 for the five-year average.

Photo Courtesy of Heartland FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables HERE. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Corn Harvested at 57%

For the week ending October 25, 2015, above normal temperatures for the second week in a row supported harvest activities, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Temperatures averaged six to ten degrees above normal. Precipitation of up to one inch late in the week slowed fieldwork activities, but lowered dust levels and supported establishment of winter wheat stands. There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 28 short, 63 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 30 short, 63 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Photo Courtesy of Heartland FFA Chapter

Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 18 fair, 54 good, and 22 excellent. Corn harvested was at 57 percent, ahead of 38 last year, but behind 62 for the five-year average.

Photo Courtesy of Heartland FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables HERE. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

First Frost Aids Crop Dry-down

For the week ending October 18, 2015, above normal temperatures combined with no precipitation provided good harvest conditions, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. While temperatures averaged two to six degrees above normal, the first frost of the season was noted in western counties which aided crop dry down. Cattle producers started to move livestock from grass to available stalk fields. There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 8 percent very short, 33 short, 58 adequate, and 1 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 29 short, 64 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 18 fair, 55 good, and 21 excellent. Corn mature was at 97 percent, near 93 last year and 95 for the five-year average. Harvested was at 40 percent, ahead of 27 last year, but behind 46 average.

Photo Courtesy of Heartland FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables HERE. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Corn Harvested at 26%

Photo Courtesy of Heartland FFA Chapter

For the week ending October 11, 2015, temperatures averaged six to eight degrees above normal with the only measurable precipitation recorded in the southwestern Panhandle, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The dry conditions allowed soybean harvest to progress rapidly. Windy conditions late in the week combined with the above normal temperatures to speed crop dry down. There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 28 short, 63 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 26 short, 66 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 19 fair, 53 good, and 21 excellent. Corn mature was at 92 percent, ahead of 87 last year, but near 90 for the five-year average. Harvested was at 26 percent, ahead of 18 last year, but behind 34 average.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables HERE. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Corn Harvested at 15%

For the week ending October 4, 2015, Nebraska experienced near normal temperatures, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Most of the State received up to an inch of rain. Producers were primarily engaged in harvest activities, although progress was impeded in some areas due to wet fields. There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 26 short, 65 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 25 short, 68 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 19 fair, 54 good, and 20 excellent. Corn mature was at 82 percent, ahead of 75 last year, but equal to the five-year average. Harvested was at 15 percent, ahead of 10 last year, but near 24 average.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables HERE. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Seed and High Moisture Corn Harvests Continue

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

For the week ending September 27, 2015, temperatures averaged six to eight degrees above normal with an inch or more of rain common across a wide swath of central and eastern Nebraska, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Silage cutting was coming to a close. Soybean harvest gained momentum but was slowed due to wet soil conditions. Seed and high moisture corn harvests continued as soils dried. Dry conditions in many western counties allowed winter wheat seeding to progress, as did dry bean and millet harvests. There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 24 short, 63 adequate, and 6 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 25 short, 66 adequate, and 3 surplus.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 19 fair, 54 good, and 20 excellent. Corn dented was at 96 percent, near 97 last year and 99 for the five-year average. Mature was at 65 percent, near 61 last year and 69 average. Harvested was at 10 percent, near 6 last year, but behind 16 average.

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables HERE. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Corn Harvested at 5%

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

For the week ending September 20, 2015, Nebraska experienced temperatures two to eight degrees above normal, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Most of the State received up to an inch of rain. The warm conditions helped boost crop maturity and facilitated the dry down process. Preparations for harvest were ongoing, with soybean and high moisture corn harvest underway in some areas. There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 8 percent very short, 29 short, 60 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 27 short, 65 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

 Corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 19 fair, 54 good, and 20 excellent. Corn dented was at 93 percent, equal to last year, and near 97 for the five-year average. Mature was at 47 percent, equal to last year, and near 48 average. Harvested was at 5 percent, near 3 last year and 9 average.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Seed Corn Harvest has Begun

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

For the week ending September 13, 2015, temperatures averaged near normal with rain confined to the eastern half of the State, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Silage cutting was active in a number of areas. Seed corn harvest had just begun and the first fields of high moisture corn were being taken. The last irrigation activities of the year were underway. Winter wheat seeding was progressing in western counties, as was dry bean and millet harvests. There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 29 short, 61 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 26 short, 66 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Photo Courtesy of David City FFA Chapter

Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 19 fair, 56 good, and 19 excellent. Corn dough was at 96 percent, near 100 for both last year and the five-year average. Dented was at 86 percent, equal to last year, but behind 91 average. Mature was at 27 percent, equal to last year, and near 30 average. Harvested was at 1 percent, near 0 last year and 5 average.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables HERE. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Irrigation Winding Down

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

For the week ending September 6, 2015, above average temperatures and generally dry conditions were experienced throughout Nebraska, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Temperatures averaged up to ten degrees above normal, causing some livestock and dryland crop stress in areas where there was minimal rainfall. Fieldwork activities included cutting silage and winding down irrigation. There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 8 percent very short, 30 short, 59 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 25 short, 67 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 18 fair, 57 good, and 19 excellent. Corn dough was at 94 percent, near 97 last year and the five-year average of 98. Dented was at 75 percent, near 73 last year and 79 average. Mature was at 12 percent, near 14 last year and 16 average.

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Corn Condition Rates 77% Good/Excellent

For the week ending August 30, 2015, cooler temperatures were noted in eastern counties where significant rainfall occurred, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. However, western dryland crops and pastures were showing stress as producers worked to keep up with demand of irrigated crops. Final hay harvest was active, as was preparation for winter wheat planting in the west. There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 29 short, 61 adequate, and 4 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 25 short, 67 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 18 fair, 58 good, and 19 excellent. Corn dough was at 91 percent, near 93 last year and the five-year average of 95. Dented was at 59 percent, equal to last year, but behind 64 average. Mature was at 1 percent, behind 7 last year and 8 average.

Photo Courtesy of David City FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Corn Condition Rates 20% Excellent

For the week ending August 23, 2015, rainfall of an inch or more occurred during the first half of the week and covered much of the eastern third of Nebraska, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. However, the rain missed much of the southwest as well as south central counties. Temperatures averaged well below normal, lessening stress on livestock and dryland crops.

Photo Courtesy of David City FFA Chapter

There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 28 short, 63 adequate, and 4 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 24 short, 69 adequate, and 2 surplus. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 18 fair, 57 good, and 20 excellent. Corn dough was at 85 percent, near 87 last year and the five-year average of 89. Dented was at 37 percent, near 41 last year, but ahead of 23 average.

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Corn Silking at 98%

For the week ending August 9, 2015, temperatures averaged one to two degrees above normal with an inch or more of precipitation across much of the State, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Irrigation slowed in many south central and southwestern counties after rainfall of two or more inches was received. Aerial spraying of fungicides on corn was active. Seasonally hot, humid conditions stressed livestock.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

There were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 25 short, 66 adequate, and 4 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 23 short, 69 adequate, and 3 surplus. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 18 fair, 59 good, and 18 excellent. Corn silking was at 98 percent, equal to both last year and the five-year average. Dough was at 43 percent, behind 59 last year and 54 average. Dented was at 5 percent, equal to last year, but behind 13 average.

Photo Courtesy of Shickley FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Photo Courtesy of Heartland FFA Chapter

Corn Silking at 94%

For the week ending August 2, 2015, most of Nebraska received one inch of rain or less, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The lack of rainfall contributed to dry land stress in some areas, although irrigated crops continued to fare well. Temperatures averaged near-normal.

Photo Courtesy of Shickley FFA Chapter

There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 26 short, 64 adequate, and 4 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 22 short, 69 adequate, and 3 surplus. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 19 fair, 57 good, and 18 excellent. Corn silking was at 94 percent, near 93 for both last year and the five-year average. Dough was at 23 percent, behind 39 last year and 33 average.

Photo Courtesy of Imperial FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension. Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE. Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Photo Courtesy of David City FFA Chapter

Scattered Rain Facilitates Crop Development

Photo Courtesy of Heartland FFA Chapter

For the week ending July 26, 2015, Nebraska experienced near normal temperatures throughout the State, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Portions of the southeast received up to four inches of rain, while the rest of the State generally saw totals amounting to one inch or less. The combination of warm conditions with scattered rain facilitated crop development in most areas, although locations with minimal rainfall reported dry land stress.

There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 24 short, 66 adequate, and 4 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 21 short, 71 adequate, and 3 surplus. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 20 fair, 57 good, and 17 excellent. Corn silking was at 83 percent, near 82 for both last year and the five-year average. Dough was at 11 percent, behind 21 last year and 16 average.

Photo Courtesy of David City FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension.

Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables HERE.

Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE.

Corn Silking Ahead at 63%

Photo Courtesy of Heartland FFA Chapter

For the week ending July 19, 2015, temperatures averaged two to three degrees above normal across much of the State, with widespread precipitation reported, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall totals of two inches or more were recorded in portions of central and northeast Nebraska, with lesser amounts elsewhere. The hot, humid conditions continued to boost crop development, but stressed livestock. Wheat harvest was near completion in southern counties, and was active in the Panhandle.

There were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 23 short, 66 adequate, and 6 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 19 short, 72 adequate, and 4 surplus. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 21 fair, 57 good, and 16 excellent. Corn silking was at 63 percent, ahead of 58 last year and the five-year average of 57. Pasture and range conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 5 poor, 21 fair, 60 good, and 12 excellent. Stock water supplies rated 2 percent very short, 8 short, 88 adequate, and 2 surplus.

Photo Courtesy of David City FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension.

Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps HERE.

Access the U.S. Drought Monitor HERE.

Hot Conditions Boost Crop Development

For the week ending July 12, 2015, temperatures were cool during much of the week before turning hot over the weekend, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Significant rainfall was limited to southern border counties, as well as parts of north central Nebraska and portions of the lower Panhandle.  The seasonably hot conditions boosted crop development. The heat and high humidity stressed livestock. Wheat harvest progressed in southern counties.

Photo Courtesy of David City FFA Chapter

There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork.  Topsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 19 short, 71 adequate, and 6 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 18 short, 73 adequate, and 5 surplus. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 21 fair, 58 good, and 15 excellent. Corn silking was at 22 percent, behind 29 last year and the five-year average of 30.

Photo Courtesy of Heartland FFA Chapter

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and Nebraska Extension.