This rain is costing me a fortune!

[DaveNay]

The rain this spring is killing me!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

We haven't had enough dry days in a row to get the hay cut and baled. It seems like we are getting 2" of rain every 3-4 days. I am now faced woth buying my second shippment of hay this spring, as opposed to the 10 acres I can look out my front porch and watch let longer and woodier every day.

GAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Dave

 

[cowboydoc]

I feel for you Dave. I just calculated last night and we've lost about $50,000 so far in hay. We have been trying everything and just can't get hay dry in between rains. I've got another 650 acres in some beautiful grass hay that is going to seed and I'm just clicking away the quality of it in my head as each day goes by. We've got at least 250 acres of corn and soybeans that will need to be replanted.

 

[MossRoad]

I'm no farmer, but if it's any consolation, we have lots of rain over here in Northern Indiana, too. While it isn't costing me like it's costing you guys, the rain outs on our kid's softball games, the long times between mowing the lawn and the slow growth of the garden plants due to the cold and damp are getting a little old. Of course, if it was hot and dry, I'd be complaining, too. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Hang in there. Hope your situations improve. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

My Dad was the only one of his parents' children not to farm after he returned from WWII. He grew up with it, though, and worked there into his twenties before he enlisted in 1941.

From him and from my aunts, uncles and cousins who still farm I've learned a few things about the economics of farming.

Bad weather across a large, large area as we're experiencing now, while it hurts, isn't terrible. With a reduced yield, prices per bushel should rise and partially compensate. It's the isolated situation where your crops are hurt while most aren't can be devastating.

The flip side is when the weather is perfect for everyone you'll have great yields but, because there is such an abundant supply going to market, the prices per bushel are so low that, in extreme cases, the bumper crop can net less profit than an apparent "off" year will.

That old Econ 101 applies to farming, too, I guess. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Dave,
They claim that after tomorrow, we should get a stretch of clear weather, but that can always change. Good luck. I'm pooring concrete late this week so, like you, I hope it's clear.
Cliff

 

[polecat]

i hear u guys ...every time it gits dry enuff to work down back ..here comes another 4 day stretch of rain..jist killin me!!! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[DaveNay]

Unfortunately, I am a consumer, not a producer. I just happen to be lucky enough to have enough land in hay to harvest enough for our horses. So for every day that I have to buy hay, I am loosing money. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Dave

 

[DaveNay]

Ouch! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Sorry to hear that Doc. Makes my bit of extra expense just a minor inconvenience compared to you.

Dave

 

[RichZ]

The field that we plant sweet corn and pumpkins in is literally under water. If it doesn't dry out soon, we won't be planting any this year. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif It's already too late to expect a good crop, but if we get it in soon, we may get a little, but I don't have much hope.

 

[RobertN]

Imagine what happened to the folks out here.... It's late spring, early summer, with dry California weather.

Outa the blue, the levee surrounding your land breaks; not under heavy winter rain and flood water... There's some farmers that in a few hours, under bright blue skies, watched the water rise to the roofs of thier house. They were lucky to have time to evacuate, get equipment to higher ground ect, but that was it.

They had crops in and established, but it is all under 10-15' of water now. The Army Corp is repairing the levee and preparing to pump the water, but it will be months before the folks can get back in there.