Muddy fields and continued rain is making it very tough for Nebraska farmers to finish planting. U-S Department of Agriculture meteorologist Brad Rippey says for some farmers it is just too late in the season to finish the job.
Rippey says for those in the western corn belt, flooding is a problem and more rain is expected. From an insurance standpoint time is running out to get the corn crop in the ground. He says the deadline to plant corn is late May or early June.
Nebraska farmers are ahead of the national percentage regarding planting. Reports show 96% of the corn crop is in the ground here and 63% of the soybean crop. The national average is 86% of corn planted and only 20% of soybean acres are in the ground. Rippey says another active weather system is shaping up for next week and significant rainfall is expected.