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Drought and Crop Conditions
The Nebraska Panhandle is experiencing an exceptionally dry year. Irrigated corn is yielding around 150 to 200 bushels per acre, below expectations, while dryland corn is producing as little as three bushels per acre against a normal target of 60 and a breakeven point of 30 to 40 bushels. Some irrigated fields faced water allocation restrictions, forcing farmers to choose which fields to keep watered. The ground is so dry that four inches of rain was absorbed within three days, allowing Brandon to return to planting wheat almost immediately.
Harvest Challenges and Equipment
Because dryland corn grew so short and sparse, Brandon has resorted to using a 45-foot draper header to cut it to the ground and salvage whatever yield he can toward fulfilling a grain contract. He also plans to use the draper header on poor dryland sunflowers. Sunflowers present additional risks, particularly damage to super-single tires from tough stalks and the constant fire hazard from their oily, dusty residue, which can smolder with little warning.
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