This past growing season was one of the best in recent memory for Jenkins County farmers. With the exception of a dry spell in June, every time rain was needed it was received.

The June dry spell hurt dryland corn yields with some fields averaging 25-40 bushels per acre, while some irrigated corn in the county averaged well over 200 bushels per acre. Peanut, cotton and soybean crops have major potential. However, it seems as though the wetter than normal growing season has spilled over to the harvest season.

As for now, peanuts are approximately 55 percent harvested, and the cotton harvest has barely started. Only a very few soybeans have seen a combine. If the wet conditions continue, this spells trouble for local farmers. Peanuts are a very difficult crop to harvest after repeated rain has fallen; cotton on the other hand will dry out fairly quickly, but grade (quality) will deteriorate.

Not only are farmers paid a base price for the quantity of product produced, but the base price is either adjusted up or down in relation to quality. In other words, if rain reduces quality, then this adversely affects their bottom line.

Even with the rain experienced in the past few weeks, this week appears to be drying out. Cautious optimism exists that the harvest season weather will improve, and farmers will be able to get their crops out of the field. Farmers cannot control Mother Nature, therefore, they must play the hand out of cards dealt to them.