WILLIAMSPORT, Ohio — The extreme heat continues to cause a drought in many parts of the state, putting a damper on the growing season for many farmers. 

The Metzger Family Farms in Williamsport is one of the ones feeling the heat.

What You Need To Know

• The extreme heat is putting a damper on the growing season for Metzger Family Farms in Williamsport


• The farm raises over 3,200 acres of crops each year


• The farm relies mostly on rain because it doesn't have an irrigation system to make up for it

The farm raises over 3,200 acres of crops each year, but farmer Scott Metzger said the lack of rain and extreme heat is causing problems.

"The dry weather we've had so far this year sped things up quite a bit,” Metzger said, “and it's taking quite a bit of toll on the crops and the yield we're going to get off them just with the dry weather. We're probably somewhere in this area between 6 to 10 inches behind on rainfall for the growing season."

Metzger relies mostly on rain because he doesn't have an irrigation system to make up for it.

But, even in this dry season, Metzger remains hopeful, tying to make the most of every situation.

"Usually, August is when you get some of those timely rains that really help boost your soybean yields on it,” he said.

While the drought prevents crops from growing as high as they usually do, it also makes them harvest sooner. So, Metzger says he expects his soybeans to harvest in early September—three weeks earlier than normal.