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Michigan farmers waiting for fields that are too wet to plant

Michigan farmers hope to get their Spring planting season underway this week.  Till now, farmers’ fields have been too wet to plant corn and soy beans

George Silva is a Michigan State University extension agent in Ingham County.  He says the window is closing to get the Spring planting done in time to ensure a good crop. 

“Every day that goes by after the first week of May…it is estimated that we will lose about a bushel a day per acre.”

 Silva says it’s important for farmers to get their crop in the ground during the next 10 days.

“I think we are still OK. This is still not panic time. We are still OK. But it has to break. The weather has to break now.”

Silva says the later Spring planting takes place for Michigan corn and soy bean growers the more it will cut into their eventual profit margin. 

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
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