By Tanner Hood

Large puddles pooled within rows of corn at Forrest Anders’ Morgan County farm in late June — a sign of the persistent wet weather that’s plagued Alabama farmers since early spring.

“Since the first of the year, we’ve received nearly 36 inches of rain, with 25 inches in the last eight weeks,” Anders said. “Our annual rainfall average is only 54 inches.”

Near-constant moisture has led to soggy fields and sticky situations for row croppers like Anders who have struggled to plant and maintain healthy summer crops.

“We were able to plant some of our corn crop in early April but haven’t been able to get back in the field since,” Anders said as sprinkles began falling. “We’ve missed our optimal window for planting spring crops and the time planted crops need to mature.” 

Although fields of green corn stalks fill horizons across the state, the harsh effects of wet weather are evident upon closer inspection. On Anders’ farm, some stalks stand over 7 feet tall. Others are barely knee high. Some fields stand bare where torrents of water washed away freshly planted seed.

“We need drier weather, but every farmer is scared of drought,” Anders said. “It’s a double-edged sword — one extreme or the other.”

More than corn has been affected by unusual rain. Calhoun County’s Daniel Trantham said he’s struggled with winter wheat harvest and subsequent soybean planting.

“It rained every day our winter wheat was ready for harvest in June,” Trantham said in early July. “I began planting soybeans directly behind the wheat, and even if the skies clear, I’d still be pushing the July 15th deadline for crop insurance.”

To help offset issues related to delayed planting, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency extended the prevented planting deadline from June 15 to each crop’s acreage reporting due date. 

Cotton acres have taken a hit, too, a one-two punch due to rain and depressed commodity prices. 

“I had my cotton seed and chemicals purchased and delivered,” Trantham said. “I sent it all back because I couldn’t use it. This rain is hurting my rotation because we couldn’t plant cotton.” 

Trantham said farmers around him faced similar situations, though many in northeast Alabama are only equipped to plant cotton.

Muddy ground has also caused issues for hay producers. DeKalb County farmer Thomas Ridgeway said the first cuttings of hay were delayed due to excessive rain. 

“We are getting the latest start to the season I know of because we couldn’t get a four-day window to cure any hay,” Ridgeway said in July. “We’re at least a minimum of a month behind, and many farmers have lost out on a valuable hay cutting. We’re also seeing breakthroughs of undesirable weeds because so much water has run through the ground.”

Alabama Farmers Federation’s Carla Hornady said farmers plagued by wet weather would welcome sunshine and heat. Meanwhile, south Alabama farmers have reported perfect conditions for cotton and peanuts, said Hornady, a commodity director who work with row crop farmers.

Though he appreciates federal support, Trantham said he and fellow farmers look upward for relief.

“It’s hard,” he said. “You take what the Lord deals out and try to keep going. The Lord blesses us. We just have to look at the big picture and try not to focus on the hard time right in the moment.”