Nebraska farmers are beginning spring planting with a familiar mix of setbacks and uncertainty, as early equipment breakdowns and dry conditions shape the start of the 2026 growing season.
Across the state, producers report planters just starting to roll after the usual early-season repairs.
“I planted one acre, and I figured out that the flow meter on the starter fertilizer was not recording accurately,” said northeast Nebraska farmer Doug Strautman. “So I called every John Deere dealership in the state… they had to overnight a part… so hopefully we can kind of get going back today.”
Near Merna, farmer Don Cantrell reported a similar experience.
“Tried to start Tuesday. Had lots of breakdowns. You always do on the first day,” Cantrell said. “Then really got after it yesterday and today.”
Once running, field conditions in some areas have been workable, though moisture remains a concern.
“It’s a little dry on top… but you go down two, three, four inches and we thought it was pretty adequate,” Strautman said.
In other parts of the state, conditions are already starting to tighten. Lexington, Nebraska farmer Justin Lans said this spring feels drier than recent years.
“I’d like to be in [the field] now, but I wished it would have rained a couple inches a few weeks ago,” Lans said. “I know it was dry last spring, but it’s worse this year.”
