The heavy rains that hit Baton Rouge LA and surrounding areas have really hurt farmers in the area, according to a recent article in AgWeb here. The rain caused corn to lodge, making it impossible for combines to pick up from near the ground. Losses to corn were estimated at $11 million. Grain sorghum was having a great year before the rains came, and now many farmers are just leaving it in the fields to rot because the discounted price available from the elevators is not enough to pay the harvesting costs.
Cotton seed in some open bolls sprouted, resulting in reduced value and yield. Sugar cane is only half planted this year, compared to normal when nearly all is planted by now. This is causing growers to worry about the impacts of an early frost, which could damage the cane.
