After a lengthy delay in spring planting due to wet weather, rains that have totaled 5 and a half inches across most of Marion County in the first nine days of July are causing additional problems for some farmers.
Marion County Farm Bureau President Steve Brummel explains the situation.
“We had plenty of rain from July 4th and with this additional rain it will kind of hurt the lower areas but overall we should have a decent crop this fall if the rest of the season goes as it should, timely rains and not extreme heat.”
Brummel says with 75 percent of the planting completed in June, the late planting will also likely keep yields down. He notes the double crop soybeans planted into dry dirt are also a question mark.
The dry weather in June allowed the winter wheat harvest to be completed. Brummel says most had good yields and quality.
Brummel says alfalfa continues to look good.
“Hay is looking real good and most of it has got cut before the rain started. Grass hay is pretty decent for this year compared to last year.”
Brummel says there is another cloud hanging over farmers this year as prices remain low. He’s hopeful the $4 corn and $11 bean prices will come up once weather factors on the crop are forecasted into USDA estimates.
For the first nine days of July, the Salem water plant has recorded 5.5 inches of rain and the Centralia water plant 5.73.
