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Farmer finds optimism among growing season challenges

An Eastern Nebraska farmer says he’s optimistic about the growing season despite challenges producers are facing.

Michael Bergen of Henderson says his area is in drought, but recent moisture has improved conditions. “They’re a little dryer than what we’d like, but guys have had pretty good growing and we’re right on schedule maybe a few days ahead of where we’d be normally. I think I started planting about five days before I did in 2021.”

He tells Brownfield he moved pivots around this winter and is still waiting for parts to arrive. But, “The next thing is we’ll be moving into irrigation season, which we haven’t really seen any disruption. We’ve seen higher fuel costs but no real disruption there and I don’t see a real problem there.” 

And, Bergen says, the commodity markets are supportive. “We’re seeing some interesting things of what the market is calling for and, I think across the Corn Belt guys are going to try and get in as much corn as they possibly can. I don’t know if we’re going to be where the USDA set at 89 million acres or if we’re going to break that 90 million barrier.”

Bergen grows corn and soybeans in Hamilton County.

Mike Bergen: