The area's soybean harvest is, for the most part done.

"Soybeans for all practical purposes are out," said Glewen.

Meanwhile, area producers are still working to get their corn in from the field. Glewen estimated that between 60 to 70 percent of the local corn crop is in.

As a whole, Glewen said this year's harvest is a little bit behind schedule.

"We're about two weeks behind," said Glewen. "That's based on a combination of factors."

In addition to the delay in the harvest, Glewen said there are several other challenges facing area corn growers.

"The moisture levels in the corn itself is an issue," he noted.

Moisture levels have been testing in the 16 to 18 percent range, which is just a shade too wet. Glewen said the ideal moisture level for corn should be in the 14 to 15 percent range.

"So growers have had to manage drying it or dealing with wet corn," said Glewen.

In spite of all these challenges, however, Glewen said that crop quality is high for the most part. He added that dry land corn yields would be good in many places in Saunders County.

"The corn yields in some places are impressive," he said, noting that in some areas farmers were harvesting about 180 bushels per acre.

However, Glewen stressed that this is by no means a universal truth. Areas near Ceresco, Cedar Bluffs and west of Wahoo saw extensive damage from tornados, high straight-line winds and hail.

 

"We've had a lot of crop damage this year," he said. "Much more than usual."

Glewen noted that the wet spring experienced throughout the area certainly didn't help anything. That delayed farmers getting out into the fields to put in their crops.

In some areas, crops were flooded out or destroyed by severe weather, and producers had to go back and replant, which also contributed to late start seen in some area fields.

Another factor, according to Glewen, was the cooler than average weather that persisted throughout the summer. Both the

days and the nights have been cooler than they normally are.

"As a result, the plants are maturing a bit later than we've experienced," he said.

Then came the rains during the middle part of October, which doused area fields, causing flooding in some areas and keeping producers from harvesting.

All of these things have served to put some additional pressure on producers this year, who may find themselves struggling to get all their crops out before the weather deals them another blow.

"The thing we fear the most is a heavy wet snow and wind," said Glewen, explaining that such adverse conditions would lead to lodged plants and an increased harvest loss.

While corn yields might be generally good this year, the same cannot be said for Saunders County's soybean crop. Glewen said soybean yields throughout Saunders County have been inconsistent and highly dependent on local conditions.

"I've seen soybean yields all over the board, from the teens in some areas to over 80 bushels per acre other places," explained Glewen.

While this year's stormy weather may have been troublesome, Glewen noted that the clouds did come with silver linings.

The amount of precipitation received in most areas of Saunders County have created a soil moisture profile that should get next year's crops off to a good start.

"We're in good shape," he said. "The soil moisture savings account is full, and starting out with a full moisture profile is important."