By Scout Nelson
Nebraska farmers make progress in harvesting crops after several weeks of wet weather. During the week ending October 11, 2026, producers have 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Despite the improved conditions, corn and soybean harvests remain behind their five-year averages. Winter wheat planting continues, while dry edible bean harvest moves slightly ahead of its usual pace.
The latest Nebraska Crop Progress Report, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS), provided an update on fieldwork, crop development, moisture levels, and pasture conditions across the state.
Moisture conditions remained generally favorable for crop growth and field operations. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7% very short, 18% short, 59% adequate, and 16% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 12% very short, 22% short, 55% adequate, and 11% surplus. These moisture levels continued to support crop development in many areas.
Corn development stayed close to normal. About 91% of the crop reached maturity, matching the five-year average. However, harvest progress reached only 27%, which remained below the five-year average of 35%. Corn condition ratings showed mixed results, with 48% of the crop rated good to excellent, 32% fair, and 20% poor to very poor.
Soybean harvest continued to lag behind normal levels. Around 95% of soybean fields dropped leaves, slightly behind the five-year average of 97%. Harvest progress reached 26%, far below the average pace of 55%. Crop conditions remained encouraging, with more than half of the soybean crop rated good to excellent.
Winter wheat planting moved steadily toward completion. Farmers planted 81% of the crop, slightly below the five-year average of 85%. Wheat emergence reached 48%, which remained behind the average of 59%.
Sorghum progress also stayed below normal levels. About 77% of the crop reached maturity compared to the five-year average of 84%. Harvest reached 17%, well below the typical average of 30%. Crop conditions showed 42% rated good to excellent.
Dry edible beans performed better than several other crops. Leaf dropping reached 96%, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 95%. Harvest progress reached 76%, exceeding the average of 74%.
Pasture and range conditions remained challenging. Ratings showed 26% very poor, 21% poor, 28% fair, 24% good, and only 1% excellent.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fotokostic
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Sorghum, Harvesting