Farmers Surprised by Corn, Drought Trickle Down to Hit Many
By: Maria Chandler WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: September 25, 2012
McLEAN COUNTY- We're watching the drought closely here at WMBD 31 News.
Last month, we took you to the Schuler farm in McLean County, where their crop was questionable.
Now, farmers are in the field.
In a story we're following up on tonight, we're taking you back.
The farmers are being met with surprise and learning who else could fall victim to the drought.....
It may be an unwritten law.
Even if you're a retired farmer.
You don't sit at home when it's harvest.
"I just love to see crops come in. This isn't as good as it usually is, but it's better than I thought it would be."
Eighty-five year old Melvin Schuler is the patriarch of this McLean County farm..
He's a veteran, but he's just as amazed as his son, Paul, with what's coming out of the corn.
"We're a little bit surprised. Some of the yields are a little better than what we thought", explains Paul Schuler.
Some areas are still a big disappointment, though.
To put it in perspective, the Schulers are only able to use about half of the corn they put into the ground.
They say their only saving grace,ironically, a hurricane.
"It was an ideal rain for us, now as you go south and west, it wasn't that good for people down there. And through the Midwest, where it rained for 2 to 3 days and 4 or 5 inches in some areas. It was just an ideal rain for us before harvest," says Paul.
The soil's still only about half-way where it needs to be for next growing season.
They'll wrap up corn within the next two weeks.
Where it goes after the field may be the biggest setback of the drought...for a lot of people.
"The one thing that's changed the most is, we're just having less business to the elevator bins," explains Paul.
Only half of a crop harvested means only half of a crop to the elevator.
Putting a big burden on the commercial industry.
"There will be a lot less business to have for those guys next year, next winter. So, yes, and the elevators are gonna have less grain to handle," says Paul. "It's going to affect everyone down the pipeline."
Making it out of this harvest is taking technology, a hurricane, and good hybrids.
And Melvin.... he can't stay away from this place.
He says he's just glad he's handed over the reins.
Troubles are far from over.
Many farmers are still waiting on congress to pass a new the farm bill, and to see how their insurance shapes up in late October.
Last month, we took you to the Schuler farm in McLean County, where their crop was questionable.
Now, farmers are in the field.
In a story we're following up on tonight, we're taking you back.
The farmers are being met with surprise and learning who else could fall victim to the drought.....
It may be an unwritten law.
Even if you're a retired farmer.
You don't sit at home when it's harvest.
"I just love to see crops come in. This isn't as good as it usually is, but it's better than I thought it would be."
Eighty-five year old Melvin Schuler is the patriarch of this McLean County farm..
He's a veteran, but he's just as amazed as his son, Paul, with what's coming out of the corn.
"We're a little bit surprised. Some of the yields are a little better than what we thought", explains Paul Schuler.
Some areas are still a big disappointment, though.
To put it in perspective, the Schulers are only able to use about half of the corn they put into the ground.
They say their only saving grace,ironically, a hurricane.
"It was an ideal rain for us, now as you go south and west, it wasn't that good for people down there. And through the Midwest, where it rained for 2 to 3 days and 4 or 5 inches in some areas. It was just an ideal rain for us before harvest," says Paul.
The soil's still only about half-way where it needs to be for next growing season.
They'll wrap up corn within the next two weeks.
Where it goes after the field may be the biggest setback of the drought...for a lot of people.
"The one thing that's changed the most is, we're just having less business to the elevator bins," explains Paul.
Only half of a crop harvested means only half of a crop to the elevator.
Putting a big burden on the commercial industry.
"There will be a lot less business to have for those guys next year, next winter. So, yes, and the elevators are gonna have less grain to handle," says Paul. "It's going to affect everyone down the pipeline."
Making it out of this harvest is taking technology, a hurricane, and good hybrids.
And Melvin.... he can't stay away from this place.
He says he's just glad he's handed over the reins.
Troubles are far from over.
Many farmers are still waiting on congress to pass a new the farm bill, and to see how their insurance shapes up in late October.
