Nebraska Crop Harvest Progress Trails Five-Year Averages

By Scout Nelson

Crop harvest activities continue across Nebraska, with corn, soybean and sorghum harvests progressing slower than their five-year averages. However, dry edible bean harvest is nearing completion, while winter wheat planting remains ahead of schedule. Farmers make steady field progress as weather conditions allow.

During the week ending November 1, 2026, Nebraska producers had 4.6 suitable days for fieldwork. This allowed farmers to continue harvesting crops and completing other seasonal field activities despite the slower pace for several major crops.

Corn and Soybean Harvest Progress

Corn and soybean harvests remain behind their five-year average. According to the latest crop progress report, farmers have harvested 66% of the corn crop, compared with the five-year average of 75%.

Soybean harvest reaches 84%, slightly below the five-year average of 88%. Both crops continue to move toward completion, although additional fieldwork is needed to catch up with normal seasonal progress.

Winter Wheat Planting Advances

Winter wheat planting is progressing ahead of the five-year average. Farmers have planted 98% of the crop, compared with the average of 94%. Crop emergence also remains ahead of schedule, reaching 89% compared with the five-year average of 85%.

Winter wheat conditions show that most of the crop is in good to excellent shape. About 63% is rated good, while 4% is rated excellent. Another 19% is rated fair, 5% poor, and 9% very poor.

These ratings indicate that 67% of Nebraska's winter wheat crop is in good to excellent condition.

Sorghum Harvest Remains Behind

Sorghum harvest continues to trail its five-year average. About 94% of the crop has reached maturity, compared with the average of 99%.

Harvest progress stands at 42%, significantly below the five-year average of 71%. Farmers still have more work to complete before the sorghum harvest reaches its usual seasonal level.

Dry Edible Bean Harvest Nears Completion

Dry edible bean harvest is making steady progress and is nearing completion. Farmers have harvested 94% of the crop, matching the five-year average. This shows that dry edible bean harvest is keeping pace with normal seasonal progress.

Soil Moisture Conditions

Soil moisture supplies across Nebraska remain mostly adequate, supporting crop and field conditions.

Topsoil moisture ratings show 8% very short, 16% short, 69% adequate, and 7% surplus. Subsoil moisture ratings include 12% very short, 20% short, 64% adequate, and 4% surplus.

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