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Expect top-end yield loss for irrigated corn in Nebraska

Nearly three-quarters of Nebraska’s corn crop is irrigated, and the head of the state’s corn board says Mother Nature has likely reduced top-end yields.

Kelly Brunkhorst tells Brownfield farmers could see a 10 to 20 percent loss. “This year with some of the storms coming through and the excessive heat coming during pollination, I think is really questioning whether we’re going to see some of those significant yields like we saw last year, especially on the irrigated.”

He says conditions vary widely across the state with some growers waiting for the crop to fully mature. “I mean nine different storms came across with different areas getting hit multiple times. Not only did it stunt the crop back, but also for those that decided to replant, we’re going to have a delayed crop.  We’re going to need some continued heat units to finish that crop out to dry down in the fields, so we don’t have to put anymore money into it.”

Brunkhorst says much of the state’s irrigated corn hasn’t been harvested and dryland yields have ranged from 50 to 120 bushels per acre.

He spoke with Brownfield at the 2022 Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City sponsored by Agri-Pulse and the Kansas City Agribusiness Council.