The Delaware Department of Agriculture is reporting that the state’s farmers are looking at record-high corn yields this year.
The heavy rainfall has been ideal for corn, and farmers have done a good job of managing fields, the department reported. Heavy rain can damage crops in low spots in fields. Farmers use tillage practices that account for such areas.
Production is now forecast to be a record 165 bushels an acre on average, up from 135 bushels last year, which had drought conditions in many areas.
The drought conditions of recent years have resulted in farmers buying irrigation equipment. However, this year’s rain is expected to reduce energy costs related to the equipment.
The news was not as good for two other crop categories with one U.S. Department of Agriculture observer calling 2013 the Worst fruit/vegetable year in memory – with growing season heading to its end. Spraying fungicides cannot stop physical water damage.”
