What started out as a promising year for area farmers has turned into disappointment as the dry, hot weather saps the corn and soybeans in our area.

Although the spring and winter wheat crops provided higher yields, the recent hot and dry weather has had a negative impact on the corn and soybean crops.

According to Walworth and Campbell County Extension Agent David Vander Vliet, the lack of moisture has taken its toll on the crops still in the field.

The heat and high winds last week, along with the lack of moisture in August have caused problems with both the beans and corn.

“The soybeans will have less pods, and less bushels per acre. The beans abort pods during weather stress,” said Vander Vliet. “The corn will have smaller kernels, because there is no moisture to fill them up.”

He said some area producers have been cutting for silagetwo or three weeks before the normal.

“Usually plants dry-down later,” he said. “But I am surprised how some of the crop has held on despite the dry heat and lack of moisture.”

He said there are still crops out there that will benefit from any precipitation.

“There is a lot of promise still out there. The sunflowers are holding up well,” said Vander Vliet. “There are some small heads. For the most part the crop is doing well.”

The small grain harvest is mostly completed with good yields in both the winter and spring wheat, according to Vander Vliet.

--Katie Zerr