Extreme Drought Forces Early Harvest for Nebraska Dryland Crops | Rural Radio
Fridays in the Field
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4m 58s
Much of eastern Nebraska was in a D3 extreme to D4 exceptional drought the entire 2023 growing season. Consequently, the combines have started rolling much earlier than normal across the area.
Despite a few rains, the dryland corn and soybeans in the region matured very quickly.
The September 5 release of the USDA Crop Progress report indicated the Nebraska corn crop was 24% mature, ahead of 17% last year and 13% average.
For soybeans, data indicates a similar story. Statewide, soybeans dropping leaves was 30%, ahead of 23% last year and 18% average.
Polk County producer Randy Smith shares more about crop conditions in his area.
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