Q. Are farmers in southern Illinois in better shape crop-wise than we were in June?
It depends on the area. Some didn't get all their ground planted. We have a potential for a really good crop. We've had some cool weather, and with the rain last Monday and this Monday, it helps. We're set up to have a good crop, but if you planted crops late, you set yourself back.
Q. How do you think southern Illinois farmers compare to the rest of Illinois?
I think we're better off, especially in southeastern Illinois. If you get north of Mount Vernon it's pretty bare, and if you go west past Williamson County, it's pretty bare over there, especially in Jackson County in some of the Mississippi River bottoms.
How do we compare to farmers in the rest of the U.S.?
I don't know how to answer that yet. It definitely has not been a great year. Potentially, we may be better off, but it's too soon to say for sure.
Will corn prices continue to rise or level off?
It will all depend on what the USDA report says. That's the biggest factor. It should stay pretty consistent now. If it's going to go up, it will be between October and January.
Q. Was the extra rain we had this year an anomaly or do you expect wetter springs and summers in the future?
I've been farming for over 20 years. It's different every spring, but it always balances out. It's always about the same, in the end.
