Planting progress has screeched to a halt since the first rainfall on May 11. Since then, rainfall anywhere from 3 to 9 inches has been received throughout the region. That is a significant amount, not likely to dry up in just a few days.

While the damper has been on planting since May 11, producers were making good progress on planting before that.

Reports from producers indicate over 70 percent of the corn has been planted. Nationwide, the figure is close to 90 percent planted.

No one is saying that we did not need the rain, but many now are wondering when warm, dry, sunny days will appear.

Dairy producers are feeling the pinch in two ways. First, they can't plant and secondly, they cannot harvest haylage as the fields are too wet.

Quality is decreasing with each passing day as the longer it is to harvest, the more mature the hay is — meaning a lower quality haylage.

There is no option other than to wait for a change in the weather and then — look out — everything will need done at once! Manure to haul, fences to fix, cropland to spray, crops to plant, hay to harvest — the list goes on and on — which just reinforces my thought that May is probably the busiest month of the year for most farms.

Producers need to adhere to all safety procedures since many accidents occur after long hours when a short cut is sometimes taken. Be safe. Safety needs to be everyone's priority.

Reminder producers, now is the time to report planted acres. Deadlines are June 15 for small grains and July 17 all other crops.

Producers that have questions or need more information can contact the office at 724-482-4800, Ext. 2 or 724-775-2369, Ext. 2.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.