Crop news is good for Rock County farmers
JANESVILLE — It’s difficult to think about summer with the wind picking up, the temperature plunging and snow finally starting to fall.
But last week, the USDA’s national agriculture statistics service released its year-end reports for Wisconsin and the nation.
It turns out that despite the late, cold start to spring, a long dry spell and other weather vagaries, local farmers had a good year.
“It was a surprisingly good year,” said Jim Stute, UW Extension crops and soils agent for Rock County. “There were a lot of stressors during the growing season.”
In spring, “it rained a lot, but we didn’t get a lot of rain,” Stute said.
It rained enough to to keep the fields too wet to work in but not enough to make a significant difference in soil moisture. When the farmers finally got into their fields, the stored moisture was used up quickly, Stute said.
Statewide, April’s rainfall was almost about an inch above average. Locally, dry fields in June and early July turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
When a windstorm went through the county in July, fields that were dry recovered better than those that had been irrigated, Stute said.
Healthy, well-watered plants tended to snap at the base.
In addition, the prolonged dry spell ended just when the corn was starting to pollinate, helping crops in much of the county.
All of that was followed by a picture-perfect fall, Stute said.
The season is reflected in the numbers.
In Wisconsin,
-More than 3.28 million acres of corn were harvested in 2011. That’s up from 3.10 million in 2010. In June 2011, corn was at $6.60 a bushel, up from 2010’s average of $5.35 per bushel.
-More than 1.65 million acres of soybeans were harvested. That’s up from 1.63 million acres in 2010. In June 2011, soybeans were at $12.80 a bushel, up from 2010’s average of $11.40 per bushel.
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By GAZETTE STAFF 05/01/12
Jan 20, 2012 at 4:49 p.m.
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SarahB1,
Can the same policy be applied to people who have received welfare and foodstamps? How about big corporations as well? If a handout was received, should it not be repayed, at least in some way.
Jan 5, 2012 at 3:13 p.m.
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Sarah - When or where has a farmer sold a few acres and made millions? Maybe in your dreams or a politician might.
Jan 4, 2012 at 10:16 a.m.
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Depends if you are grain, dairy, pig, etc..factory farmer or small farmer. All farm work is not equal. End all the subsidies.
Jan 4, 2012 at 9:46 a.m.
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Being a farmer is hard work and has many risks, just like other small businesses. There are some good years and some bad years. Farmers can't control many of the things that determine their success, just like small businesses. So I say with the risk goes the reward. We saw many farms go under when things were bleak for them a few years ago. How many times we saw the heart breaking pictures of a farm's contents being auctioned off, the family in tears. Many had been in the family for generations. So if you think farming is easy, go for it. There are several for sale.
Jan 4, 2012 at 8:41 a.m.
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I believe this article pertains to grain farmers as this is their main source of income.Dairy farmers and cattle farmers have different expenses, as well as different work hours.A 100% grain farmer works an average of six months out of the year, hmmm, a teacher works only nine months out of the year.I could go into more detailed information, but I'll spare you all that.In short, there is no such thing as a " poor farmer". (at least grain farmers).
Jan 3, 2012 at 9:19 p.m.
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I do believe he is complaining about the farm subsidies. There are farmers receiving them that probably shouldn't.
Jan 3, 2012 at 9:10 p.m.
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WE PAY FOR OUR OWN TAXES! You wouldn't be able to afford to pay our taxes we dish out. Get educated! Come for a day and I'll educate you on the business of farming. If you think it so easy.
Jan 3, 2012 at 6:58 p.m.
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Does this mean the farmers can pay their own taxes instead of the seniors and working families paying the farmers burden.
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