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Drought conditions set to improve from rainfall across parts of Nebraska

Precipitation has been feast or famine for some farmers in Nebraska.

Ryan Hanousek raises corn and soybeans near Cairo and tells Brownfield he’s optimistic this week’s rainfall will bring relief to a multi-year drought.  “It was awfully dry. We had pipe laid. We were about to start irrigating. Many pivots were running. It was really we dry, and we needed a good rain, especially on the dryland crops.”  

He said he’s received 6 inches of rain this week, including 5.5 inches overnight.

A large storm system moved through the state, and the National Weather Service says 3-8 inches of rain fell along a line from Kearney to Tekamah.  

Michael Dibbern of Wood River says there’s almost too much moisture. “It seems to have saved it all up and dumped it all on us now. Over the last two days we’ve gotten anywhere from 4 to 6 inches of rain.”

Cale Carlson farms near Marquette and tells Brownfield, “My fields don’t look too bad. We’ve had lesser rain and more flooding. I think it’s a testament to how much water the corn crop is using.”

Matt Bailey farms along the Platte River, east of Schuyler, and says the rain will help crops after last week’s extreme heat. “There’s a lot of sand and river bottom down here.  The corn and soybeans were taking it in the shorts. Pivots were running really hard just to get ahead of it.”  

He’s concerned that Shell Creek, which flows into the Platte River, could flood over the next 24 hours.  He says the local NRD has helped improve problem spots. “Some of those choke points have been taken out and the water runs with less pressure and does less damage down here.”

The farmers say that the water will likely soak up quickly since it’s been so dry and the forecast is calling for warmer temperatures this weekend.