Farmers in McLennan County aren’t getting any breaks from the weather or markets this year.

Rainfall delayed corn plantings in late March and early April. That caused a domino effect.

The delay put the harvest back two to three weeks, increasing crop exposure to high temperatures and dry weather, which damages corn crops.

Farmer Kevin Huffman said the weather and late planting have caused problems with corn.
Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune-Herald

With the harvest time approaching, some farmers are considering cutting the crop and chopping it up to be sold for dairy cattle feed for less money, said farmer Rodney Schmalriede, whose spread covers 1,800 acres near McGregor.

Rain has been sparse during the past few weeks and the weather has been hotter. The heat and late planting cause problems with the ears, farmer Kevin Huffman said.

“The ear won’t be filled out with kernels and the kernels will shrink,” he said.

Farmers are breaking even or making a small profit at about 70 bushels an acre, Schmalriede said.

In a really good year, farmers will harvest 100 bushels an acre or more. In a good year for prices, corn goes for $5 a bushel, which is about 56 pounds of shelled kernels.

But recent prices have been running about $3.60 per bushel, with many McLennan farmers getting two-thirds the normal yield or less.

Corn is a main crop in McLennan County, but farmers generally are diversified with milo, wheat and other other crops.

Shane McLellan, McLennan county agent with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, said the wheat harvest came in strong in volume, but that’s not helping as much because wheat prices are low.

Schmalriede said his milo crop and those of others were taking a beating from insects this year.

Kevin Huffman checks the size of his feed corn at his farm at McGregor. Recent prices have been running about $3.60 per bushel, with many McLennan farmers getting two-thirds the normal yield or less.
Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune-Herald

Insects have also been a problem for corn, McLellan said. Insects eat through corn silk, which carries the pollen to the kernels.

Each strand of silk is supposed to lead to a kernel. When the strand is cut, that kernel does not form, leaving a hole, he said.

Weather conditions around the county have been varied and farmers in some areas may be getting better results than others, he said.

Schmalriede said he has seen crops that appear to be good around Leroy.

And, of course, McLellan said farmers bet on tough years being offset by good years later.

bteeter@wacotrib.com

757-5734