Damage is still being assessed from the severe weather that swept across eastern Nebraska a week ago today. In addition to tornadoes, high winds, heavy rain and flash flooding, large hail wiped out some crops, particularly in the northeast corner of the state.

Randy Guill, director of the Madison County Farm Service Agency, says he’s spent the past week surveying many corn fields in the Norfolk area.“There was some that was beat into the ground, there just wasn’t much left,” Guill says. “A lot of the plants were just broken off which won’t produce anything. We ranged anywhere, on those fields that were hit, from 30% to 70% that were basically broke off or they would be non-productive.”

Guill says some producers will consider re-planting the fields that were wiped out as there may still be time, due to the late spring.

“There could be some failed acreage, yes, because of this hail storm, there probably will be,” Guill says. “Talking with some producers, they’re just waiting for their crop insurance adjusters to get out there. They really can’t make any decisions yet.”

Guill recommends producers do have the option of certifying their acres with their agent or they can do it at the FSA office if they’ve made an appointment, though he says most appointments are already booked.

Source - http://nebraskaradionetwork.com/