 Dry conditions have affected the corn harvest. (Clinton KY) - Many Hickman County farmers have been busy shelling corn, starting the first week in August. Weatherford Farms began shelling corn August 14, harvesting about 1,900 acres. With this year’s harvest coming about three-weeks earlier than normal because of the dry conditions, yields are down.
“We started earlier because the moisture is drier than normal ,”stated Steve Weatherford.
During a year when the county is feeling the effects of one of the worst droughts in many years, farmers are looking to harvest their corn at its peak dryness.
“With the drought affecting the yield of this year’s crops, they are now looking for 15.5% or less moisture to avoid taking an additional hit at the grain elevator,” stated UK Extension Agent Cam Kenimer.
They usually start harvesting when the crop reaches 18% moisture.
“The return isn’t going to be good. We are predicting about 70-75 bushels per acre.”
This is half of the county average. Over the last 11 years, the yields have been around 144 bushels, with 2009 recording the best yield at 169 bushels per acre (based on 39,000 acres harvested).
“My yields are averaging around 70 bushels per acre,” stated Weatherford. “I’ll have some fields a lot worse and some better.”
He has some acreage faring better than others due to planting dates, soil type, corn maturity, and varieties, which all play a factor in yields along with a tenth of an inch or two of rain in different parts of the county.
“With the recent rains that we have had, soybean crops could be decent,” continued Kenimer. “Maybe around 39-40 bushels and only 30-35 on double crops, behind wheat,
for soybeans. I hope I am wrong and I am giving too low of an average.”
(Some of those rains have missed many parts of Hickman County.) The eleven year average is 39.5 bushels per acre with the best yield coming again in 2009 at 47.5 (based on 51,200 acres harvested that year). It seems Kenimer is not estimating too low.
“Our yields are down and the quality of the seed is bad,” stated Weatherford. “Earlier plantings of beans are better than later. We have double crop beans dying.”
Weatherford, a long time farmer, recalls 1983 as the worst that he can remember when dealing with the effects of a drought. Another dry year was 1988.
“It was also dry, but farming practices are different and we do a lot of no-tilling,” he said.
Weatherford currently does not have any irrigation in his fields. “I have talked about a center pivot,” he said, “but you need the right acres or it’s not feasible.”
Nevertheless, “the widespread drought has caused much attention on the impact of the rising price of corn beginning to affect food prices. While there is no doubt that the higher corn prices we are observing are going to affect what we pay for groceries, it varies considerably on the food product and the time period being considered,” states Will Snell, Extension Ag Economist on corn prices.
Overall, only about every 15 cents out of every dollar consumers spend on food can be attributed to the value of farm products. Packaging, storage, transportation, labor, profits, among other non-farm items comprise 85% of what we pay in the grocery stores for our food.
The impact of higher corn prices has a much greater impact on the cost of meats and dairy products than on processed foods (such as corn flakes) and beverages (corn-sweetened soft drinks).
Meanwhile, Weatherford and all county farmers will continue to do what they can to help provide this country with the safest and most economical food products that they can.
“This year has been bad,” noted Weatherford, “but it could be worse! Most farmers have crop insurance, which will help.”
Keeping a positive frame of mind, Weatherford concluded with ”There is always next year.” |
