Wet spring creates problems getting crops in the field

A wet spring has been difficult for farmers in Southeast Missouri, but some are optimistic about high commodities prices.

In Cape Girardeau, a little more than 5.39 inches of rainfall fell during May, including 2.3 inches the last seven days of the month.

"With the wet weather we've been having lately we're definitely behind, especially with corn," said Missouri Extension agronomist Gerald Bryan. "A good portion of the state is late and a lot of people have switched from corn to soybeans already. I expect we'll have a lower yield expectation of corn this fall. Because of the planting date we'll probably lose 20 percent on corn yields."

The Missouri Department of Agriculture's latest report released May 31 said that corn planting was nearly complete in the southern part of Missouri, but statewide was eight days behind the normal pace of 95 percent complete. The report rated corn condition similar to the same time period in 2008, as 45 percent was rated good, 38 percent fair, 10 percent excellent, 6 percent poor and 1 percent very poor. Soybean planting was 43 percent complete statewide but 10 days behind the normal pace.

In Illinois, the state Department of Agriculture reported that 82 percent of corn was planted, 9 percent less than the same time period in 2008. Thirty-four percent of soybeans had been planted, a 20 percent decline from the same time period in 2008.

The US Department of Agriculture's weekly report found that area farmers planted 20 percent or more of their crop during the final week of May.

Despite challenging weather conditions 93 percent of the corn crop in the US has been planted, up from 82 percent the previous week. The report said that 70 percent of the corn crop is in good or excellent condition, compared to 63 percent during the same time period in 2008.

Roger Schwab of Fruitland said while he faces a late harvest of corn, he was optimistic about the future. Schwab plants 400 acres of corn and 1,100 acres of soybean on his farmland.

"The wet weather makes it challenging but we're progressing," Schwab said. "Some of my corn I planted may come in later than I would have wanted but it's nothing to worry about. With commodity prices rising things are looking good."

Soybean futures for July delivery passed $12 a bushel last week for the first time in nine months, and traded Friday for $12.30 per bushel, a 48 cent jump. Corn futures closed at $4.485 per bushel an increase of 16 cents.

However, Bryan said that's no reason for celebration.

"It's good to have a good price on your soybeans but at the same time you have to grow some soybeans to get money out of them," Bryan said. "That's some of the problem people are running into now. They're trying to get the crops growing."

Look for more on this story later and in Saturday's Southeast Missourian.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628