This summer's drought is expected to cut Ohio's corn and soybean yields 11 percent on average per acre, according to government figures released Friday. Based on its latest survey of crop conditions, the U.S. Agriculture Department said it expects Ohio farmers to harvest an average of 125 bushels of corn per acre, down from 141 bushels last year. Soybean yields are expected to fall from 44 bushels to 39.
Soybeans are the state's top crop in terms of money earned, with corn second.
Nationally in terms of production, Ohio ranks fifth in soybeans and sixth in corn. However, the effects of the drought have been spread unevenly. Farmers in central and southern Ohio have been hit especially hard, while others have been spared. Tim Hartsock, who farms 4,000 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat in southern Ohio's Ross County, said it is the driest season he can remember in his 30 years of farming. Financially, it's going to be very bad for us.