Frequent and heavy rains this spring and summer have resulted in several challenges to plant, crop and animal agriculture in Missouri.
According to reports from the University of Missouri Extension Service, preliminary precipitation data for Missouri for the period May 1-July 14 indicates an average statewide precipitation total of 19.46 inches, which already ranks this year as the sixth wettest May through July period on record.
The average recent rainfall has been: May, 7.26 inches; June, 7.30 inches; and July 1-14, 4.9 inches.
The weather conditions have not made it easy on Missouri row crop farmers this year, according to Daryl Raithel with the USDA Farm Agency.
"Even at this late date, harvest predictions remain uncertain," he said. "At this point, it is just a matter of wait and see. In mid-July, the corn looks good, comparatively, and an average harvest may be expected, but concerns remain about how much nitrogen was lost due to saturated soils and that will affect corn yields.
"Soybeans, on the other hand, are not so good. Late planting, planting in wet soils, drowned out/flooded spots and prevented planting all have taken a toll on soybean production."
According to Raithel, crop insurance should be helpful for farmers, but not a complete solution for possible losses.
Crop insurance helps some cover out-of-pocket expenses such as seed and fertilizer, but may not cover fixed expenses such as mortgage, rent, property taxes and more.
Extension officials did note the wet weather pattern for much of the summer does not translate into wet fall weather.