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Nebraska farmer says corn harvest off to slow start

A Central Nebraska farmer says corn harvest is somewhat behind schedule.

Mike Bergen tells Brownfield…

“Just across the fence row, I would say it’s 90% green throughout the field. Some of the shorter season corn has dried down and has matured,” he says.

According to USDA’s latest crop progress report, 17% of the crop has been harvested, near the five-year average, with 69% of the crop in good to excellent condition. USDA says 98 percent of the crop is dented with 79% mature.

Bergen started soybean harvest late last week.

“Humidity is a killer for us, but we’ve got a nice breeze. It’s going to be a good day for harvest,” he says.

Soybeans are 24% harvested, which is 1% better than the five-year average, with 68% of the crop called good to excellent and 88% dropping leaves.

Winter wheat is 71% planted, compared to 51% a week ago and ahead of the five-year average of 67%.