The rainy spring resulted in financial challenges this year for many farmers whose crops were damaged or not planted, and it may have residual effects next year. “This year was financially bad. Next year, managerially it will be challenging,” said Ray Massey, Missouri State University professor of agricultural economics. The wet weather in 2015 may affect farmers’ budgeting, weed control, tillage and drainage decisions next year. “Missouri had the most prevented planting in the nation this year,” Massey said. USDA estimates 1.5 million acres were not planted in the state. About 1 million acres of soybeans in Missouri, or about 20 percent of the total crop, weren’t planted. About 500,000 corn acres in Missouri never made it either. Illinois was second in the nation with 300,000 prevented planting acres. While the majority of Missouri farmers have crop insurance, even those with coverage aren’t showing a profit, he said. For example, Missouri corn growers had expected 140 bushels per acre, at a price of about $4.15 per bushel, to earn about $581 per acre. For farmers who bought insurance at 75 percent protection, they would get about $435 in guaranteed revenue. But those who didn’t get the crop planted only get 60 percent of that, or about $261 per acre for prevented planting, Massey said. Investing in drainage Matt Helmers, Iowa State University professor of agricultural engineering, expects drainage installers to be busy this fall and next spring. Anytime there are excess wetness issues, people think about enhancing drainage. This year, that tendency is partially offset by the lower commodity prices, he said. However, farmers are increasingly looking at controlled drainage in conjunction with structures to manage the water table and in some cases, hold water back, Helmers said. The systems also help keep nitrogen out of the streams. Weed battles Where crops couldn’t be planted this season, farmers will likely see more weed management issues next year, Massey said. “A lot of farmers just have fields of weeds. There are a lot of sorry looking acres,” Massey said. Weeds will be a problem not only in areas where crops weren’t planted and weeds took control, but also where rainy weather prevented farmers from getting post-emergent weed control done on time or at all. This year showed the danger of putting all your weed control into post emergence options, said Aaron Hager, University of Illinois Extension weed specialist. Even a modest yield reduction of 20 percent caused by poor weed control can mean a loss of about $100 an acre with $9 soybeans, he calculated. Source - http://www.midwestproducer.com