CUSTAR, Ohio — The planting season is right around the corner and farmers all across the area are getting ready for this year’s crop. But with the recent excessive rainfall, is that delaying the process of planting?
All farmers know wet, sloppy, fields are not the best conditions to start the farming season.
At Miller Farms in Custar, the owner said right now they are just waiting out with hopes that farmers will get to start their season soon.
Farmers hope to start their season within the next couple of weeks but are waiting for the weather to let up. With flooded fields and more rain on the way, farm work is put on pause until they can get drier and more sustainable weather.
Todd Miller of Miller Farms said the planting of certain crops has been impacted.
"Alfalfa has for sure. We have about another week and then we’ll wait until August if we don’t get it done here in another week," Todd Miller said. "Clover is about the same, it has impacted that. As far as corn and soybeans, we still have a good month to get it in."
Before planting happens, what goes on beforehand to get ready for the season?
"It’s a lot of maintenance on machinery, greasing or changing parts where parts need attention," Miller said. "We just got a seed order that we stock in the barn to get organized for the busy time and pretty much just maintenance and preparation."
Rain is important to farmers, but too much or too little can bring many challenges for them to overcome.
Of course, every farmer wants their rainfall to be in that sweet spot where there is just the right amount of moisture to grow healthy crops or lush grass for cattle.
However, the recent rain showers have been delaying the process of planting and growing crops.
Miller said if the weather stays how it is projected, planting date for soybeans will be April 25. For corn, it would be right around the first week of May.