60 Harvests – Changes I Have Seen
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tom Hoegemeyer, retired Professor of Practice at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and NE Soil Health Coalition Board Member
Email: thoegemeyer@gmail.com
As I make my 78th trip around the sun, it feels right to pause and reflect on the tremendous changes Nebraska has seen during my lifetime. I’ve been fortunate to spend nearly all those years working in agriculture — first as a corn breeder for both my family’s small seed company and a major seed corn company, as a farmland owner, and as a Professor of Practice at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Over more than six decades — and more than 60 harvests — I’ve watched technology reshape our work. From improved machinery and pesticides to superior genetics and modern processing systems, every advancement has brought remarkable gains. Yet, at the heart of all agricultural productivity, whether crops or livestock, two elements remain constant: soil and weather.
At the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition, we recognize that it is essential to protect our soil and water resources, in order to protect vital agricultural productivity.
Good Soils Are a Limited Treasure
Our planet’s surface is 71% water. Of the remaining 29%, only 11% is suitable for agriculture — and much of that is vital grassland or forest. That leaves just a small portion available for crops and pasture. Even then, only the top few feet of soil sustain life and productivity.
We have a serious responsibility to care for that thin, precious layer of earth that feeds the world. We must care for our soils wisely and to hopefully leave them in better shape than we found them.
Our Weather HAS Changed
People my age often say, “Remember when…” but in this case, the data backs us up. Nebraska has 80 years of fairly precise weather records, and the numbers are facts, not opinions. It is clear that our weather over the last couple decades has been significantly different than the decades and centuries before that. Comparing data from the past 30 years against data from 1951-1980 confirms the observations of “us old guys.”
According to data from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Department of Natural Resources, our growing seasons are now longer — by 10 to 14 days in most regions. We have 10 to 15 fewer days of snow cover each year. Across the state, we’ve recorded far more new high-temperature records (especially in fall and winter) than lows. Average annual temperatures have risen about two degrees, with the most pronounced warming in winter months.
Springs are now warmer but wetter, making it harder to get into fields. Summers and falls bring longer dry spells between rains, though when the rain does come, it’s heavier and more intense. We have increased rainfall in all but the western portion of the state, but even our wetter years have not fully replenished the groundwater we use during the dryer years. Summer daytime temperatures have been a bit cooler, because the high humidity air takes more energy to heat — but the higher humidity, combined with high temperatures — makes the heat index uncomfortable for people and livestock.
In short, Nebraska’s weather patterns are shifting—and those shifts are affecting everything from planting schedules to insurance costs.
Real Data, Real Impacts
There are many perspectives on why these changes are happening. But these are observed changes over an “old guy’s” lifetime — no fancy models or instruments needed, just rain gauges and thermometers.
We need to accept our weather for what it is, and consider how we respond to the future. Our choices don’t just impact us; they matter to our grandchildren and future generations.
Solutions Without Sacrificing Productivity
So how do we build resilience without sacrificing yield? One of the most effective and economical ways forward is through Soil Health (SH) practices, which strengthen the land’s natural systems. These include:
Keeping the soil covered with residue to guard against wind and heavy rain.
Reducing disturbance by adopting no-till systems that help soil absorb rainfall and retain structure.
Keeping living roots in the soil year-round to feed fungi and microbes that enhance fertility.
Increasing biodiversity through diverse crop rotations and cover crops.
Integrating livestock and grazing into crop systems when possible—because that’s how the prairie has always worked.
This isn’t rocket science—it’s common sense and stewardship. It’s about working with nature, not against it. Transitioning takes time, but as the soil biology heals and organic matter builds, farmers see real, lasting gains: better water absorption, improved fertility, and a more resilient foundation for the future.
A Legacy for the Next Generation
Each of us plays a part in shaping Nebraska’s agricultural future. The soil beneath our boots is more than a resource —I t’s a legacy. Healthier, more productive soils are among the greatest gifts we can leave to our families, our communities, and our state.
When you’re the “old guy” someday, you’ll be glad you helped build something that lasts.
About the Nebraska Soil Health Coalition
We are a collaborative effort to increase sustainable agricultural production and thriving rural communities. As part of that vision, we support Nebraska’s community newspapers. Our mission is to advance producer-centered education, outreach, and adoption of soil health principles to build resilient farms, ranches, and communities across Nebraska.
