Harvest Season Comes Early for Corn Farmers - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Meghan McRoberts

PLATTSMOUTH (KPTM)- Harvest season came sooner than usual for most farmers around the area. Now, they're finally seeing just how badly the summer drought hit their corn crops.

One farmer in Plattsmouth tells us his bushel counts are low, but better than expected.

John McNamara with the Wiles Bros. has been harvesting for about 3 weeks and is about half way done with the job.

"Given that we had 21 to 25 days of 95 degree plus heat, you would have never thought we could have harvested. At least we're getting something. Harvests like this given what we've gone through is quite surprising," said McNamara.

McNamara says their fields typically average bushel counts around 175, but they're still getting counts around 100. "Back in the ‘70s and ‘80s it would have been unheard of. There wouldn't have been anything to harvest, at least this year we've got something." McNamara explained.

He's had some counts as low as 85, but says the biggest downfall is the less than average quality of the crop. Some of his corn also was ruined by a fungus that thrives in extreme heat.

McNamara says that with harvesting wrapping up soon, they'll start planning for next season. The biggest hope is still getting rain, not to save this years crop, but to better prepare the land for planting next season. He says snowfall doesn't always have a big impact. Rain before the frost would be the most beneficial.

With little chance to make money at this point, McNamara says they still have a good chance at breaking even.