In the Midwest, the saying “knee high by the fourth of July” serves as a crucial milestone for corn farmers, marking their hopes that their crop will reach knee height by Independence Day. However, this year’s June proved exceptionally rainy, posing challenges for agricultural operations.
Eau Claire experienced an unusual amount of precipitation, recording over seven inches of rain, which is nearly two and a half inches above the average. This excessive rain has significantly affected local farmers.
Tony Bowe, co-owner of Triple T Farms, expressed his concern, stating, “Since I’ve been alive, this is probably the worst year I’ve seen that I can remember like this. I’ve never encountered a summer like this.” Many farmers faced delays in planting due to the persistent rain.
According to Jerry Clark, UW-Extension’s Regional Crops and Soils Educator for Chippewa, Dunn, and Eau Claire County, some farmers, particularly those involved in livestock or dairy production, are still planting corn for silage and forage to ensure an adequate feed supply for the winter.
Bowe noted significant disparities in crop progress across different land types, highlighting, “The corn crop this season in spots, it looks really good. In other spots where the low ground is, it’s way behind. If you got sandy ground, it’s a great year. To have corn in low heavy ground, it’s pretty bad.”
This contrasts with last summer’s concerns over dry conditions. Bowe emphasized that this summer’s challenges have surpassed those of the previous year, affecting not only corn but also hay production. “It seems to have been raining and it’s wreaked havoc on our fields and stuff like that,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, Clark emphasized the critical need for timely rains as corn enters its crucial growth stages. “When that ear starts to get set, the grain starts to get formed, that’s when more moisture is going to be needed,” Clark explained. He suggested that while a brief respite from rain may be welcome, sustained precipitation will be necessary later in the season.
Despite these challenges, farmers remain resilient, adapting their strategies to cope with the unpredictable weather. Clark highlighted that alongside corn, alfalfa has also faced difficulties this season due to insect and pest pressures, underscoring the broad impact of weather on agricultural yields.
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