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Irrigation season delayed for Nebraska farmer

Ray Kucera

Ray Kucera

In a normal year, Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska farmer Ray Kucera would have started irrigating his corn and soybean crops in June.

But Kucera tells Brownfield timely rains this year have allowed him to delay the start of irrigation season until this week.

“Probably a month to five weeks later than normal,” Kucera says, “and I’m really kind of liking that lifestyle that we had going.”

Reduced pumping costs will help lower the cost of production, Kucera says.

“Lower production cost and time to do other things that need to be done around the farm—to get some things ready for harvest, etcetera.”

Kucera says this year’s crops have the potential to be above-average. He says spells of extremely hot weather in July don’t seem to have done much damage.

“I’ve been checking some ears, and my boy has too, and we aren’t seeing much tip back yet,” he says. “It looks like good pollination and pretty nice fill on the ears.”

Kucera farms in east-central Nebraska.

AUDIO: Ray Kucera

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