Managing for Profit

Nebraska farmer welcomes delayed irrigation season

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.”

Although he lost parts of some fields to excess rain, Kucera says his crops are looking good and are showing above-average potential.

AUDIO: Ray Kucera