Soggy Summer Puts Farmers In Race Against Time

INDIANAPOLIS -- It may be dry outside now, but Indiana farmers are still drowning in harvesting work delayed by this summer's rain.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that only 28 percent of Indiana corn has been harvested, compared to 72 percent this time last year, while 63 percent of soybeans have been harvested, compared to 90 percent.

Jon Sparks, a farmer in Hancock County, said crops were harder to put in this year, and are harder to get out.

"It's a snowball effect. The fact we started behind planting put the corn crop behind, and then we didn't have much heat this summer, which has slowed down harvest for everyone because of higher moisture content in the grain," he told 6News' Renee Jameson.

Officials with the Indiana Farm Bureau said the state hasn't had a fall season this difficult since the `70s, which could translate into higher prices at the grocery store.

"Well, overall, it puts prices in jeopardy," said Kent Yeager, the agency's director of public policy. "It causes prices to tend to go up. I think we've seen the markets go up some in the last few days."

As tough as it's been for farmers in Indiana, Sparks said it's been even tougher for farmers in other states. He said he still expects a good crop if the weather holds out in the weeks ahead.

"You deal with Mother Nature every year," he said, "and you never know what kind of curve ball she's going to throw at you."