SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – Rains throughout the months of April and May have caused farmers across the Wabash Valley to have a delayed planting season. Some farmers say wet fields have been a problem since last October.
“We were kind of behind the eight ball starting out this spring and it’s continued to be really wet. We’re starting to get really wheaty fields now, we haven’t been able to even get out and spray even,” said Mike Bell, Bell Farms owner.
As rain continues to stay in the forecast, Bell says farmers are in a race against the clock to avoid financial losses on their crops.
“One to one and a half bushel per day of loss after May 10th, and you know, we’re coming up on May 10th,” Bell said.
Kegan Knust, the farm manager at Knust Farms Incorporated, says financial losses that could cost some farmers thousands are not the only concern they will face if heavy rain continues.
“The rain and the weeds. You know, it’s just an optimal breeding ground for all the insects that cause you problems,” Knust said.
Because of standing water impacting some of his fields, Knust says he has not put down any crops for this season yet.
“If we would’ve planted, it would be a guarantee I would be back in the same field again putting more seed and more money into it,” Knust said.
Knust says his farm will try to use products to make crops grow faster once he begins to plant, but he still does not expect a 100 percent yield.
Bell says his farm will focus on efficiency once the rainy season passes.
Bell also says wet crops will cause farmers to spend more money on products to dry them.
