Good MC corn crop eyed

By Jane DeGeorge
Eagle Reporter
Published: July 31, 2008

Rows of towering, green cornstalks are a common sight on numerous Madison County farms this summer. The healthy produce is in stark contrast to 2007’s crop that was left thirsting for relief from high temperatures and little rain.

“We’re definitely in a different moisture situation than we were last year at this time,” Madison County Cooperative Extension Agent Brad Jarvis told The Eagle last week.

This past year’s weather conditions were so harsh officials requested the county be granted federal drought disaster status enabling county farmers to apply for low-interest loans to cushion income shortfalls.

Although the area is still below in terms of year-to-date rainfall, the corn crop should remain healthy as long as the county gets a few rain showers in the coming weeks during corn pollination, the extension agent said.

“It’s off to a really, really good start…we have a couple areas that are dry but overall it’s an excellent crop…much better than last year,” said Bruce Shepherd of Shepherd and Sons LLC, a top corn producer in the county. The company has about 700 acres of corn and 800 acres of soybeans scattered across Madison and Orange counties.

In addition to temperate weather conditions, rising corn prices have been favorable for farmers like Shepherd, who grow corn as a cash crop.
Floods in June that soaked the Midwest – the top U.S. corn producer region – drove corn prices through the roof – as high as $7 a bushel, according to the Madison County extension agent. 

“When the flooding was going on, prices skyrocketed,” Shepherd told The Eagle. “It got almost scary.”

However, following the rains, damage to Midwestern corn fields proved to be less extensive than initially thought, resulting in a “simmering down” of corn prices, Jarvis said.

The average at the moment is $5.50-$6.50 a bushel, which is “still a good price,” he said. With the rising cost of fuel and fertilizer, grain-based farmers are relying on a corn price increase, according to Jarvis.

But these rising corn prices will affect Madison County farmers in varying ways, the extension agent said. Livestock-based and dairy farmers will likely see their feed prices increase. Although some of these types of farmers may save their corn for winter and sell any surplus to take advantage of the good crop price, Jarvis said.

Hay yields and fruit crops are also up compared to 2007, according to the extension agent. Although, those who purchase hay and are hoping for a marked decrease in price this season may be disappointed.

“You shouldn’t expect big discounts,” Jarvis said, again due to the increased costs of production. 

Some Madison County fruit orchards experienced hail damage earlier this season, but overall the fruit crop has been successful, Jarvis said. Currently, peaches and some early season apples are available at the Madison County Farmers Market. 

On the other hand, soybeans are growing slower this summer since they were planted later in the season and have not received as much rain, the extension agent said. 

Overall, Madison County’s agricultural economy is in better shape than it was last year, according to Jarvis.

In 2007, Madison County farmers suffered pasture and hay yield losses up to 75 percent and potential corn and soybean yields were cut in half because of the drought and excessive heat during corn pollination, according to a resolution the supervisors passed in August 2007.

A late frost in April 2007 also damaged grape and fruit crops with 95 percent loss of peaches, the resolution stated.
In 2006, local farmlands also suffered due to excessive rain, flooding and high winds in late summer.