By Scout Nelson
Fields across Nebraska are filled with activity as the harvest season shifts into high gear. With machinery moving fast, farmers are gathering the results of their hard work more efficiently than ever. This year, the USDA estimates that the state's farmlands will produce an impressive 9.6 million acres of corn and 5.2 million acres of soybeans.
Looking back shows a consistent harvest pattern. USDA data from 1996 to 2022 highlights usual progress from September to late November. Both crops start slowly in early fall, with around 20% harvested by September's end. Notably, soybean harvesting jumps ahead of corn in October.
This burst of activity for soybeans signals a wrap-up in early November, with the vast majority, over 80%, brought in during the Halloween month. Corn plays a longer game, stretching from the start of October to just before Thanksgiving, comfortably concluding as November closes its doors.
Farmers are enjoying a strong start to the harvest season, with 22% of corn and 29% of soybeans already out of the fields in early October, outpacing the usual 15% and 20%. This promising trend, with good weather, is expected to continue, ensuring a smooth and successful end to the season.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-steve-greer
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Harvesting, Weather