LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the recent heat and humidity in Nebraska is putting stress on livestock, but it helped farmers harvesting wheat and hay.
The USDA released its weekly update on the state’s crops Monday.
The temperatures across Nebraska averaged 4 degrees above normal last week with highs mostly in the upper 90’s.  And little rainfall fell in the state.
Ranchers and feedlot operators continue to watch livestock for
signs of heat stress.
The USDA says the wheat harvest is 66 percent done, up from 28
percent last week. That’s still about six days behind the average
of 84 percent done, but it’s much improved.
About 72 percent of the hay crop has been harvested. That’s
better than last year rate of 65 percent harvested at this point.