Wednesday, July 31, 2013
MANSFIELD, Ohio (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Ohio corn is in the best shape in years.
The USDA reports that more than three-fourths of Ohio’s corn crop was in good or excellent condition as of July 21 — compared to 15 percent at the same time last year when scorching heat caused a drought that threatened crops.
The Mansfield News Journal reports that the soggy weather this summer has produced the best corn conditions in five years.
Morrow County farmer John Linder tells the newspaper that corn in low-lying areas got too much water from the flooding earlier this month, but crops on higher ground should be fine.
Ohio’s corn industry supports about 34,000 jobs and generates nearly $359 million in labor income each year.