By Scout Nelson
For the week ending October 15, 2023, they had 5.0 days to work in the fields, says the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. But here's a tricky part: the topsoil moisture was a mixed bag—23% very short, 27% short, 43% just right, and 7% more than needed. The subsoil moisture told a similar story.
The corn report card came in with 12% in very poor shape, 16% not so good, 21% fair, 38% good, and 13% top-notch. Nearly all the corn (98%) was mature, which is close to what we saw last year and over the past five years. Plus, farmers harvested 44% of their corn, matching last year and doing better than the usual 36%.
Soybean farmers were also on the move, having harvested 70% of their crops. That's a bit less compared to last year's 73%, but better than the usual 62%.
Winter wheat has been planted 96% of the way, slightly more than last year and the average, with 84% already sprouting, outperforming the 70% and 71% seen last year.
Sorghum is doing fine, with only 5% in very poor condition and 28% excellent. Most of it (94%) was mature, and 35% is already harvested.
About 80% of dry edible beans were harvested, close to last year's 83%.
The pastures and ranges are rated as 7% very poor, 11% poor, 30% fair, 42% good, and 10% excellent.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-fotokostic
Categories: Nebraska, Harvesting