Hot Temps and Lack of Rainfall Challenging for Area Farmers - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

The inconsistent rainfall combined with high temperatures is proving to be a challenge for farmer Jeffery Pittman.

"These extreme temperatures of course with what few showers we've had have put a lot of stress on the plants," says Pittman, who owns and operates J.J. Farms in Jackson County.

But a few showers is better than no showers.

"We've had some extreme type weather events happen throughout the county," says Pittman. "But last year we didn't have any rainfall...so we take the good with the bad and appreciate the rainfall we've had up to this point."

Temperatures have been so hot, Pittman actually planted corn earlier this year.

"We went from a winter straight to a summer seems like," says Pittman. He says there's been several days in the mid 90's and the humidity has been extremely high which promotes disease.

A pest called the cutworm is also making it's presence earlier this season. Pittman says he's seeing a cutworm already starting to make holes in his peanut crop. 

While the heat is also making misery for farmers in the Midwest, it's helping here at home. "It's a shame that some farmer somewhere has to lose for some of us to gain," says Pittman. "But right now in the Midwest the heat is contributing the high market on corn and soybean."

Pittman says it's still too early in the season to make any true predictions. "Only time will tell," he says. 

@