Nebraska, often called the Cornhusker State, is a vast agricultural powerhouse and consistently ranks as one of the top corn-producing states in the nation. Corn is the most plentiful crop grown here, making up a significant portion of the state’s agricultural economy. The annual corn harvest is a major logistical event, marking the culmination of the growing season and determining the success of the year’s efforts. The vast majority of the corn grown in Nebraska is field corn, which is harvested dry and is distinct from the sweet corn eaten directly off the cob.
The Main Harvest Season for Field Corn
The harvest window for the majority of Nebraska’s corn crop, known as field corn, typically begins in September and extends through late November. Farmers start running combines in early to mid-September, with the earliest harvests often occurring in the southern parts of the state. By the first week of October, the corn harvest is in full swing, though it usually trails the pace of the soybean harvest.
The peak period for bringing in the grain generally falls between the end of September and the end of October. On average, more than 80% of the crop is harvested during the six-to-seven-week period from October 1 to November 18. The process can sometimes extend into December, particularly if planting was delayed or if wet conditions make fields inaccessible to heavy machinery.
The harvest progression is influenced by factors including the planting date and the specific maturity rating of the hybrid. Farmers who plant earlier or choose shorter-season varieties may begin harvesting first to spread out the workload. The northern parts of the state and the Panhandle often experience maturity later into the fall compared to the southern regions.
Indicators of Corn Readiness and Moisture Levels
Farmers use specific cues to determine the optimal time to begin harvesting, ensuring the corn is physiologically mature and at the right moisture level. The most definitive sign of maturity is the formation of the “black layer,” which occurs at the base of the kernel where it attaches to the cob. This black layer seals the kernel, signifying that the movement of sugars and dry matter accumulation from the plant has stopped.
At this stage of physiological maturity, the kernel’s moisture content is typically high, often ranging from 25% to 40%. After the black layer forms, the grain begins its field dry-down phase, losing moisture through evaporation. Farmers aim to harvest field corn when the moisture content is between 15% and 20% to balance field losses and the cost of mechanical drying.
Harvesting at 17% moisture or less is a common target for field corn intended for grain elevators and processing. Waiting for the corn to dry further in the field saves on drying costs but increases the risk of losses from weakened stalks, ear drop, and adverse weather. The decision to harvest is a careful balance between natural drying and reducing the risk of a compromised crop.
Variations in Harvest Timing for Specialty Corn
While field corn dominates, specialty corn varieties in Nebraska follow a different harvest schedule based on their intended use. Sweet corn, grown for human consumption and eaten fresh, is harvested significantly earlier than field corn. It is picked in the summer months, typically during July and August, when the kernels are at the “milk stage.”
Harvesting sweet corn at this stage means the kernels are juicy and tender with a high natural sugar content. If left to mature further, the sugars convert to starch, and the kernels become hard, losing their desirable texture and flavor.
Seed corn, grown to produce the seed for next year’s crop, is also handled differently and is often harvested earlier than grain corn. It is traditionally harvested on the ear at a higher moisture level, sometimes targeting around 30%, and then taken to a conditioning facility. This earlier timing is needed to control moisture precisely for processing and to avoid quality degradation. For other specialty corns like popcorn and white corn, the harvest timing generally aligns with field corn, occurring in September and October when the kernels are dry and hard.
Immediate Post-Harvest Processing and Storage
Once the combine separates the kernels from the cob, the harvested grain is transported quickly to its next destination, often a farm grain bin or a commercial grain elevator. If the corn is harvested above the safe storage moisture level (typically 13% to 15% for long-term storage), it must be dried immediately. High-temperature mechanical dryers are often used to rapidly reduce the moisture content and prevent spoilage and mold growth.
For corn that is slightly wetter, natural-air or low-temperature drying systems in storage bins can be used. This method is less effective when temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit later in the season. Farmers who store their corn in private bins have the flexibility to wait for better market prices before selling. Conversely, corn delivered directly to a cooperative or processor, such as an ethanol plant, enters the supply chain immediately.