South Carolina Corn Crop "Virtually Wiped Out" By Early Heat, Continuing Drought

[hatrack]

By Gene Zaleski, The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, S.C.

Aug. 6--Early June heat with little rain virtually wiped out this year's corn crop while farmers are now hoping timely and decent rainfalls in the coming months propel the cotton, soybean and peanut crops forward. "Corn is going to be disastrous this year," said Charles Davis, Calhoun County Clemson Extension agent and crop specialist for Orangeburg and Calhoun counties. "We have the worst corn crop this year that I can remember."

The problem was a series of near 100 degree temperatures in the first week of June during a critical part of the crop's growth period. As a result of the heat, corn pollen was destroyed which impacted kernel growth. "We have had some corn basically shut down in its tracks," Davis said. "They got to three-feet tall and not any bigger. Dryland corn is going to be a huge, huge loss."

Overall, Davis said the corn crop in both Orangeburg and Calhoun counties have been reduced about three-forths with some fields reaping about 5 bushels to 10 bushels per acre compared to about 90 bushels to 100 bushels. "We have heard that a number of fields have been mowed down," Davis said.

In most cases, irrigated corn 'did well' but will still probably average about 140 bushels per acre, down from what is typically 175 bushel to 180 bushel corn.

EDIT

http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews+articleid_2484118&title=June_Heat_Wipes_Out_This.html

[opihimoimoi]

1. Them Farmers gatta learn to deal with it....the weather that is...Easy Farming is out the window

Now...its hydroponics and drip systems thats gonna make it...

[phantom power]

2. K+R