Spring rains causing headaches for some Clay County producers

The last few months have been difficult for area farmers due to frequent heavy rains. The rains have been more than just a nuisance, resulting in delays in the planting of various crops throughout Clay County. In some cases, late planting is expected to lower yields at harvest.

According to Clay County Extension Agent Andy Vangilder, corn is one of the crops most affected by recent weather. Vangilder said some producers were re-planting their corn crops as recently as last week.

"We've finally got it all just about planted now," Vangilder said. "We're going to have a lot of late corn."

Corn is able to sustain through heavy rains provided the temperatures are cool. With many warm, rainy days, however, several fields saw their corn seeds rot in the ground, causing the need for many to re-plant. Conditions also depleted sulfur in many fields, creating the need in some cases to add more nutrients to the soil.

Still, there are a few bright spots for the local corn crops.

"We have some early corn that made it through the rains and is doing fairly well," Vangilder said. "Some of our late corn may catch up. As a whole, I think corn is doing pretty fair considering everything."

With fields including corn planted in as many as three different stages, Vangilder said the crops will not likely be harvested at one time. As such, this will require additional work and time from producers, adding to their already busy schedules.

While there were a lot of rice fields ruined early in their growth, Vangilder said that crop has rebounded well and is "shaping up pretty well." After re-planting rice, many fields have been able to turn around and are looking strong, he said.

Another crop which has bounced back strong is cotton. Vangilder said a small portion, around 10 to 15 percent, of the total local cotton crop was planted early. Much more, about 75 percent, was planted from May 18 through May 21, which is considered to be around the latest dates to reach full yield potential.

"That's later than we'd like to have it planted, but so far it's looking good," Vangilder said. "Right now, we're just keeping our fingers crossed and hope it's smooth sailing from here."

Vangilder said soybeans also are doing well.

"Most of the soybeans we have planted are looking good. Like everything else, they're just a little late. I think we'll be alright."

He said local soybean crops are expected to have their full yield potential when planted before June 15.

Wheat is the local crop which has been hit the hardest. The wet weather conditions have led to the onset of Fusarium head blight, or wheat scab, in many fields. Scab, which is derived from a fungus, can reduce both yield and quality in wheat.

"There are a lot of fields that are still going to make good wheat, but we've been significantly hurt by scab," Vangilder said. "How much we don't know for sure yet. It will vary from field to field."

Vangilder said wheat harvesting is about to begin, so producers will have a better idea of the damage caused by the fungus at that time.

What farmers need now is a strong summer season, Vangilder said.

"Hopefully, we'll have a good summer that will give our crops a chance to catch up."

While conditions have been difficult, Vangilder said many local growers have met the challenge.

"The guys here have dealt with the wet conditions well. We have good farmers in the county. They've done a real good job of getting in what they have in the midst of all this."