‘This is the driest I’ve seen it since 1955’: Nebraska farmers struggling amid extreme drought

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Larry Hudkins is one of many farmers across the state who are struggling to keep up with the dry conditions.

Right now, more than two-thirds of the state is in extreme drought.

“This is the driest I’ve seen it since 1955 and 1956,” said Hudkins.

The lack of rainfall and high humidity are causing Hudkins’ crops to crumble.

Hudkins has hundreds of acres of land growing his own corn and soybeans. He says due to the dry conditions, they’re not making it right now.

He might have to consider replanting, which would cost him more money and time.

“With the uneven sands, if we had to replant, it would be 3 to 400 dollars an acre for seeds. It’s a terrible expense,” said Hudkins. “Sometimes we have to make a decision if we want half or two-thirds of a stand and take what we get, or go to replanting.”

Hudkins also has his own herd of cattle. He says the severe drought has devastated his pastures, and if things don’t improve, he’ll have to consider selling a third of his cattle.

“Now we’ve got enough hay this year, but the pastures just aren’t coming on,” Hudkins said. “We hate to sell those calves because we like to raise them, but if we don’t have anything to feed them, we’ve got to do something.”

Hudkins, like many farmers across the state, is hoping for some much-needed rainfall this weekend. If it does, it’s often referred to as a million-dollar rain.

“Not only would we call rain this weekend million-dollar rain, but multi-million-dollar rain,” said Hudkins. “Basically, we’re dry land farmers and what we get from up above is what we have to live with, and the good lord can get us what he can.”

According to the latest NASS crop report, only 5% of pastures in the state are in the range of good to excellent condition. Nebraska ranks dead last in the country.