COLUMBUS, Ohio – Many Ohio farmers are waiting to plant as the state experiences wet weather and cold temperatures.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the United States Department of Agriculture, field work was limited during the week ending on April 24

  • Neall Weber, a farmer in Franklin Co., said his planting season is delayed compared to that of 2021

  • Each week, our Chuck Ringwalt and Spectrum News 1 agriculture expert Andy Vance discuss topics of concern within agriculture
 

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture puts out a weekly crop progress report starting at the beginning of April really and running all the way through harvest. And what we found across the state of Ohio is that for frame of reference, last year, we had 7 to 8% of corn and soybeans planted across the Buckeye State. This year, 0% planted," agriculture expert Andy Vance said. "We've had just bad, bad, bad conditions for trying to get out in the field. And while it might not sound like a lot that seven, 8% that we had planted a year ago, it's definitely delayed the calendar for farmers who want to get some seed in the ground.

Neall Weber owns Weber Farms in Franklin County. He plants corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. So far, he's been forced to wait.

"Here we are, April. And typically, you know, the tractors are running and us flying here in Central Ohio and not this year. We have gotten some cold weather that's just not conducive to growing conditions. So it's been cold and wet. I know we had a couple of really nice days here and there, but, you know, when we're trying to dry the soil out and create a better environment for seed growth and we need more than just a couple of good days," Weber said.

According to Vance, the delay should not have a major effect on farmers' profits from harvest.

"If we're forced to wait too long, what you may see happen in terms of business decisions for farmers is a switch of some acres from corn to soybeans because you can put soybeans in the ground a little bit later. Soybean prices have been pretty strong, too. So you may have a lot of farmers saying, 'Hey, if I can't get the corn into the ground in an ideal seedbed, if I'm worried about having to replant because of wet and cold conditions, maybe I'll just switch some acres from corn and soybeans. I think that would be a discussion that that farmers will have, but at this point, we're not ready to pull the panic button just yet," he said.

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