Ohio farmers weighing options as rain pelts the state

May 23, 2011

Contact: Natalie Lehner
Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association
614.499.7111 cell
nlehner@ohiocornandwheat.org

DELAWARE, Ohio – Although areas of the state saw sunshine and warm temperatures this weekend, the ground was still too wet for some farmers to plant corn.

“This pushes the time to plant to a very narrow window,” said Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association (OCWGA) CEO Dwayne Siekman. “Farmers can still plant in the end of May and early June but they are still worried about more rain. Modern technology and seed varieties allow for an extended planting season.”

Some farmers have been able to plant corn while others are waiting it out. Parts of Union and Madison counties are still to wet to plant; areas in northwest Ohio, such as Wood County, are also muddy.

Fred Yoder of Plain City, who hasn’t been able to get into some water logged fields, says he’s waiting out the rain and is planning on this year’s crop being “the most expensive corn crop he’s planted” if he has to dry his crops when he harvests in the fall.

“I’m waiting until the first full week of June to plant corn. If I can’t plant a variety that will give me the best yields I’ll switch to soybeans,” he said.

Despite Ohio’s problems with planting, the USDA is forecasting a record-breaking crop nationwide, with a 13.5 billion bushel corn crop projected this year— 1.1 million more bushels than in 2010. States such as Iowa are expected to take the lead in corn planting as farmers have reported they are mostly finished.

In Ohio, farmers plan to wait out the rain, but some may be turning to crop insurance to help shoulder the burden, showing the importance of a safety net for farmers. In many cases, farmers have until around June 5th to decide if they need to file a claim.

“It’s just frustrating. You’re geared up to get a crop in and Mother Nature just isn’t cooperating. This is definitely one of the worst planting springs we’ve had since 1981 or 1983,” said John Hoffman, a grain grower in Circleville.

Hoffman is also keeping an eye on the wheat crop, which could be susceptible to fungal diseases such as vomitoxin and head scab. Most growers have been able to spray fungicide on the fields to avoid problems, but still they say they are waiting to see what happens.

“We’re trying to avoid major problems. The question I’m concerned with now is will I find a market for my wheat once it’s harvested?” Yoder said. “Again, we are playing a waiting game. We just have to wait and see what happens.”

About Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association
The Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association represents the interests of tens of thousands of corn and wheat growers throughout the state. OCWGA works in Washington, D.C., and at the Ohio Statehouse to ensure that government participation in legislation is beneficial to advancing the profitability of Ohio grains. For more information, visit ohiocornandwheat.org.

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