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Rains hurt, help farmers
Farmers hoping to be as far as a third of the way through harvesting corn crops are sitting idle, as more than 6 inches of rain have fallen on parts of Franklin Parish.
Agriculture consultant and farmer Buckshot Sims said the rain had not hurt the corn itself, but added that time is money and the longer farmers are sitting idle, the more it costs them.
"I don't think we're really hurt yet," said Sims. "This stuff needs to just get on out of here."
Sims said gauges at some sites in northern Franklin Parish recorded 6 inches or more of rain while gauges in the southern region of the parish recorded an inch or more.
That means producers won't be able to cut corn until the fields dry out and moisture levels in the corn decline.
LSU AgCenter's Carol Pinnell-Alison said some farmers were thankful for the rain, however, because it will save at least one irrigation cycle.
Many soybean producers in the area still had at least one, if not two irrigation cycles left before their plants mature. Pinnell-Alison said this week's rainfall means they won't have to irrigate as much.
"We needed a little bit, but not maybe as much as we've gotten," Pinnell-Alison said.
Aside from soybean crops, another thirsty plant that will benefit greatly from the rains is hay.
With dry weather, Pinnell-Alison said many farmers were hurting for hay.
"This will certainly help farmers get another cutting on the grass and possibly a second after that," Pinnell-Alison said. |
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