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Nebraska farmers closing in on start to planting

Soil conditions vary across Nebraska as farmers weigh whether or not they want to begin planting. 

Randy Uhrmacher started with beans Thursday near the south-central town of Hastings.  “I was planting into a cover crop, so the moisture was just about perfect for planting,” he says.

He tells Brownfield even though the soil temperature is still in the 40s a warmup is on the way. “I’m kind of leaning toward just going ahead to planting our dry land corn. There’s less risk there and some of that dry land, the patches take a little longer than our bigger irrigated pivots. It just takes a little more time,” Uhrmacher says.

But in eastern Nebraska, farmer Jason Penke of Oakland says conditions still aren’t right. “Planting season has not really started for us yet. The weather has not been cooperative,” Penke says. “I would say here by the weekend we will give things a try.”

He says he’s been ready for two weeks. “Everything has been ready except for the weather, I guess. We’re waiting for the soil temps to warm up a little bit and give the plants and seeds as much possibility to grow,” Penke says.

Both Uhrmacher and Penke tell Brownfield they’ll be full speed ahead next week.