Rain causing farming issues
Published 12:00 am Friday, September 8, 2017
- Despite rains, the cotton crop in Covington County is looking good. Photographer/Star-News
The downpour of rain as of late has caused issues to local farms, but is not expected to be a crisis for the Covington County area.
Some local farmers have experienced total loss of crops due to the rain and haven’t been able to plant their crops.
Brian Jacobs, owner of Jacobs Farms, has lost different crops and has seen a tough year for his business.
“We have had to reduce cutting on hay to one time, down from three to four times,” Jacobs said. “We have lost a quarter acre of snap beans, all of our bell peppers, all of our okra, and have been kept from planting our fall peas. It has been a tough pill to swallow, but it has been hard on everybody, not just us.”
According to Covington County Extension Coordinator Charles Simon, sprays that are used to keep crops rid of fungal diseases have the potential to be washed away with an overabundance of rain.
“The rain is a dance for agriculture,” Simon said. “It is good for growth, but it is a problem for cutting and curing. This area will be alright, though.”
Simon said that there is no cause for concern, it has just been a struggle.
“There is no crisis here,” Simon said. “Crops are still being pulled, it has just been a struggle.”
Simon also said that cotton crops are doing fine in the area.
“The cotton crop is looking good,” Simon said. “Peanuts are next to be pulled, and cotton should be pulled shortly.”