DeKalb County farmers are finally getting a chance to plant corn. April was too wet and cold to start the process, but things are looking up for May.
DeKalb County Farm Bureau spokeswoman Mariam Wassmann says mid-April is the ideal time to get corn in the ground followed by soybeans in May. Farmers are just getting a good start now.
"Farmers have learned to be patient because Mother Nature has the upper hand. They just have to remind themselves of previous years when they did get a later start." -Mariam Wassmann, DeKalb Co. Farm Bureau
Wassmann says by this time last year, most of the corn was in the ground. But last year ended up unusually warm and dry.
State of Illinois 2012 Drought Report
Wassmann says, according to the five year average, about half of the corn would have been planted by now.
"If we look longer term, it's not atypical but we would have like to be in before now. They can do a lot with their large equipment in a matter of weeks."
She also says spring planting means more farm equipment will be on the roads.
