Kentucky, Mississippi farmers discuss challenging growing season
Delta farmers are reflecting on the 2024 growing season.
Western Kentucky farmer Brent Gatton says weather was his biggest challenge. "We were extremely dry early on and then probably toward the end of April it was like the floodgates opened up. Anything that got planted after April 26 or 27 got replanted a couple times. At the end, we had a pretty average corn crop."
He tells Brownfield his soybeans yields were just below average. "We were very fortunate. If we would have gotten some timely rains in August, I think we would have had one of the best bean crops ever. They sure looked good up until harvest."
Eastern Mississippi farmer Philip Good says 2024 was a tough year and he's now focusing on the next growing season. "We've got some challenges, and we've made some tough decisions on our farm. We're at the time of the year where we're making decisions about seed choices, fertilizers, and budgets and returns."
Good says the future is unknown due to challenging economic conditions.