Heavy rains add to harvest delays

Heavy rain amounting to a much as 4 inches soaked south Central Nebraska Monday, adding further to harvest delays.

According to volunteer observers for the Nebraska Rainfall Assessment and Information Network, a location 4.4 miles northwest of Minden recorded 4.25 inches of rain Monday.

Other NebRAIN observers recorded the following rainfall amounts: Kearney, 4.4 miles ENE, 3.58 inches; Dannebrog, 3.1 miles ESE, 3.02 inches; Scotia, 3 miles SSE, 2.70 inches; Boelus, 0.1 mile ESE, 2.38 inches; St. Libory, 4.6 miles NE, 2.30 inches; Aurora, 5.8 miles N, 2.20 inches; Grand Island, 0.8 of a mile NNE, 2.12 inches; Wood River, 4.9 miles WSW, 2.06 miles; Ord, 6.8 miles SSE, 1.97 inches; and Central City, 0.3 of a mile NNE, 1.80 inches.

The National Weather Service in Hastings reported rainfall amounts for Grand Island at 1.38 inches; Aurora, 1.68 inches; and Hastings, 0.90 inch.

On Monday, the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office reported that corn moisture levels in many areas were limiting the crop's progress as of Oct. 5.

Corn conditions were rated 76 percent good or excellent, with irrigated fields rated 82 percent good or excellent and dryland fields at 69 percent good or excellent.

Corn maturity was 63 percent, which is behind last year's 90 percent and 11 days behind the 85-percent five-year average.

Corn harvest was estimated at 9 percent complete, which is behind last year's 25 percent and the five-year average of 19 percent.

The USDA reported that soybean harvest is now ahead of last year in south Central Nebraska because of the dry conditions.

Statewide, soybean conditions were rated 69 percent good or excellent, below last year's 81 percent good or excellent rating. About 32 percent of the state's soybeans have been harvested, up from last year's 28 percent, but two days behind the five-year average of 40 percent.

Sorghum conditions were rated 74 percent good or excellent, which is behind last year's 84 percent rating. Sorghum maturity was rated at 34 percent, well behind last year's average of 88 percent and two weeks behind the 77-percent average.

The National Weather Service in Hastings forecast highs this week in the 70s, with lows in the upper 40s and low 50s. There is a chance of rain starting on Friday through the weekend.