ALGOMA, Wis. — They say rain is a good thing, but too much rain can be a bad thing.
A sixth-generation farmer from Algoma is dealing with the challenges that the rainy weather this year has brought.
For over 150 years, Eric Harmann and his family have tended the 60-plus acres of land that have been passed down from generation to generation. He grows cash crops like corn and raises beef cattle.
Harmann said the past two years have been tough on him and his family.
“Mother nature is one,” said Harmann. “Last year, we had pretty much a drought. This year, a lot of water. We had an equivalent of basically 25 inches of rain this year, which is pretty close to what we get in a year.”
Harmann said they have transitioned to planting corn on most of the property since it’s more resilient than other crops. He said they made a calculated risk to plant later than they typically do. This could leave them a good three months for the crops to come through.
“There's give and take on both ends,” said Harmann. “You might have quantity, but now you're going to have to buy different type of feed to offset the quality of your feed."
The rain can also be tough on the cattle on the farm. Harmann said the cattle do not like to lay in the puddles, the water makes their hoofs soft, and can cause the calves to be more susceptible to diseases.
“It's kind of like the old saying, ‘Don't stick all your eggs in one basket,’ said Harmann. You've got to be diversified in different markets or industries to survive in the farming industry right now."
The situation is so bad for Harmann's farm right now, he is considering doing something he has never done before—use crop insurance.
“In a year like this, me and my brother would get a field ready and hopefully the next day or that night, we'd be able to put it in and it would rain,” said Harmann. “It's kind of nice to have that insurance peace of mind in the back of your head."
Regardless of what happens this season, Harmann said it comes with the job and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He said he always wanted to be a farmer and these challenges come with it.