Video: Rain Cause Woes for Local Farmers

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HOUSTON, Miss.(WCBI)- Farmers across our region are being placed on hold because of rainy weather conditions resulting in fields that are just too wet to be planted. Right now, patience is their best option.

“That’s all they have right now is patience. Their equipment is ready, the seeds have been purchased, its time to put them in the ground; And just as soon as we can sneak in through some showers and get some things planted they’ll stick it in the ground,” said Scott Cagle/MSU Extension Agent.

According to extension agents we spoke with you need the right window of opportunity, rain can be a friend, but it can also be an enemy if it overstays it’s welcome.

“Well, it is, plants need water and they need air too. If the ground is saturated with water they can’t get air and the ground around the roots system, and if that’s the case, they are not going to grow,” said Scott Cagle.

Having no control over the weather having produced mussy moist dirt where seeds must be planted, has farmers and backyard gardeners standing by twiddling their thumbs.

“Right now the big crop needing to be put in the ground is corn. In a few weeks the time limit on corn will start to run out, and they’ll swap over to soybeans,” said Scott Cagle.

In the meantime, farmers can only pray and hope for less rainfall. Of course, our sweet potato growers have bedded some potatoes now and they won’t plant their crop until May.