WOOD COUNTY, Ohio — You’ve probably seen some area farmers starting to harvest their corn and soybean crops. It's a surefire sign of the end of summer and beginning of fall, but farmers said the recent weather has impacted their yields.
As of this week, 87% of Ohio is in a moderate or severe drought. This means yields won’t be as good as last year. In early May, Logan and Nolan Chamberlain were delayed planting their crops due to wet fields.
But eventually, it dried out. Crops were planted.
“Most of the crops came out of it, so we were happy, " Nolan Chamberlain said. "Things were going well, things were growing then. I would say June July were dried up and we never caught any rain. The weather forecast saying we're gonna get some and it kept blowing around us.”
Then came August and September. You know how that’s been: Very, very dry.
Farmers said they estimate the yields will be down 20 to 30%. Dry weather is going to knock down the yield, but the real problem is when you get to market.
Last year’s soybeans were selling for $13 a bushel. Now, they're $9 a bushel, and corn was $4.50 now it's $3.50. So farmers are going to lose money when bringing in crops.
Exports to countries like China have stopped. Ethanol plants have plenty of corn. Suddenly, demand is way down. And prices drop.
Logan Chamberlain said he is willing to roll with the punches.
“You know it's a cyclical industry and business to be in. And we just batten down the hatches preparing for a few rough years," she said. "And the weather this year, in this part of the country... honestly it's been great in other parts of the country but for us specifically, it's batten down the hatches and get prepared for what's to come.”
The final hurdle is harvesting. The Chamberlains said they are hoping for a dry November to bring in the corn and soybeans before frost.