MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio — Planting crops is a science. A mixture of seed, soil, water—and timing. 

“We like to start around the middle of April. It was almost the middle of May before we even had a chance to get in a field and then since that time it’s been very difficult,” said Kevin O’Reilly, Little Ireland Farm.

O’Reilly says it’s not just about how much rain they’re getting. It’s how often it’s coming.

“We mighta had a day or two that we could work and we really need you know weeks that we can work not just a day or so at a time,” said O’Reilly.

With nearly 30 years in the agricultural industry, O’Reilly says this year is different than any other. 

“I don’t remember ever a year like this… I mean we’ve had other years where we’ve had to replant fields...we’ve had years where maybe one or two fields didn’t get planted…but never on the scale we’re seeing this year,” O’Reilly said.

O’Reilly says on a typical year corn crop can reach about 4 feet, but this year the tallest crop they have is only about a foot.

“We ended up having 300 acres that never even got planted and its really now past the time to plant crops. They won’t mature in time for the fall,” said O’Reilly.

Lack of supply means higher demand.

“But that will affect the price of the crop…if there’s not as much available, those people that wanna buy it are gonna have to bid for it and pay a little more for it,” said O’Reilly.

They do have some corn left over from last year—but it won’t last.

“We’re gonna be short quite a bit of income this year… we’re just gonna have to tighten up our belts, figure out where to supplement it from and hope for a better year next year,” said O’Reilly.