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May 09, 2008 (Belleville News-Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- For farmers, too much rain can be just as bad as too little, and the timing this year is awful.

Planting is running behind, and each day that passes could lead to smaller yields and higher prices for consumers.

"I had just finished applying anhydrous ammonia before the rain came in," said Greg Guenther, a Belleville area farmer. "The good news is I'm ready to go. The bad news is I can't go."

Corn already in the ground is getting too wet and may not do well. Generally speaking, the later corn is planted in May, the worse the yield.

Statistics from the Illinois Department of Agricultural show farmers have a statewide average of 28 percent of their corn planted. But only 1 percent has emerged.

Bob Biehl, a Belleville area farmer who is one of the crop watchers for the Illinois Farm Bureau AgriNews, said in general about 10 percent of the corn in this area is planted.

"There may be a little more down in Monroe County but I'm going by hearsay," he said. "We've got 40 acres of 600 acres planted."

Biehl said he saw more fields planted around the Carlyle area, but there's nothing showing above the ground.

"I have to wonder if it'll ever come up with the rain, cool weather and standing water. They may be looking at replanting," he said.

Last year at this time, 68 percent of the corn in the state was planted, and in 2006, 79 percent of the crop was in the ground. You have to go back to 2002 at this date -- when 29 percent was planted -- to find an equivalent average. Corn planting is about two weeks behind the state five-year average.

For soybeans, which typically are planted later, there is about 1 percent of the crop planted.

David Biver, a Freeburg area farmer, said he has planted 100 acres of a planned 400 acres of corn and no soybeans. Wednesday brought him about four inches of rain.

"We planted the fields that drain best first. Will they drain well enough again?" he asked. "Time will tell."

Nobody is panicking yet. But they know their options are growing more limited with each rainy day that hits the area.

"We have planted as late as June 18," Biver said. "We're probably losing potential with each passing day."

Biehl said University of Illinois research data shows that once you get past May 15, yields start going down.

Experts say that grain prices, already fueled by ethanol production and other factors, could go higher due to the late plantings, but it's too soon to tell.

Graham Utter, senior risk manager, Illinois Farm Bureau Agrivisor Services Inc., said prices usually rise with bad weather.

"The rain has definitely had an effect on the market," Utter said. "But the bigger issue right now is the supply-demand report."

Even though some fields were worked earlier, conditions really haven't been right for farming, he said. It will take at least five days to dry out if the rain stops. Then you can't just go out and plant.

With the forecast looking rainy for at least 15 days out, farmers could suffer.

"In this area, we're surely going to sacrifice some yield," he said.

Mike Seger, Madison Service Co. marketing manager, said he hasn't made a formal survey but he would guess corn planting is at 10 percent in the area with no beans planted.

When corn planting is delayed, producers sometimes shift that acreage to soybeans.

"When will farmers start switching to beans? I don't know." Seger said.

But a switch would be tough to do this year, he added. Most of the available soybean seed has been claimed and there won't be much available for extra planting.

Guenther said he thinks most farmers' plans are set and it is tough to switch.

"I'm not changing any acres to beans. Once you apply anhydrous, you almost have to put in corn," he said.

Another metro-east agricultural staple also may be threatened by the rain.

"The wheat is looking very good but it has wet feet now. It will take a couple of weeks to see if that does any damage. It probably will be hurt a little bit but that depends on how wet and cold it stays," Seger said.

Utter said things may not be dire just yet because statistics show that farmers are much faster at planting than they used to be.

"The average farmer can plant everything in seven days when conditions are right," he said. "Next week, I expect to see the (corn plantings) number jump up to 50 percent or higher."

Guenther said crops always get planted, no matter what happens.

"I guess we'll kind of sneak it in between the rain showers. It will mean a poorer stand, reduced yields and higher prices," he said.

"It's an emotional roller coaster. It's hard on you. This will be a year to remember for a long time."

Contact Wally Spiers at 239-2506 or wspiers@bnd.com.

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Wally Spiers

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