Remember in June when it seemed like every day it would rain and the sun never shined?

Well those four weeks have caused some issues that may not be realized until late winter. However, some items are very apparent now.

Everyone knows you cannot make hay without sunny, hot, dry days and that did not occur.

First cut hay is only now being completed on many farms which means second cut will be delayed or may not occur as it is already August. Poor quality hay is normal this year due to the crop being over mature and weeds more prevalent as the cutting schedules were delayed.

Mulch hay was the result for many who tried to harvest in June. Producers who harvested as haylage for the silo or made wrapped round bales are in some cases working on third cutting.

The month of May was as good as June was bad for harvesting hay early as some producers did. That being said, next February and March first cutting could be difficult to find.

Small grains such as oats, barley and wheat are now proving that June was way too wet for their liking also.

Annual weeds and fall grass such as foxtail are taking over some fields, particularly low lying fields. That makes harvest difficult and increases the moisture level of the grain.

Straw bales could have a few more weeds and grasses also. Wheat likes dry, hot weather during and after grain fill which did not occur.

So as a result test weight, moisture and other discounts are occurring as farmers try to sell their grain. Flour quality wheat will be hard to locate this year. In some cases producers may only receive $1/bushel for their crop due to quality discounts that some grain buyers are using.

Corn and soybean losses will not be known until harvest but looking at some fields, losses will be significant anywhere heavy wet soils are in a field.

Vegetable crops are for the most part just starting to be harvested and disease, insects and blight are all a concern.

Now that it is August and summer is nearly gone and the weather is hot and humid, it may seem like June with all that rain was so long ago, but the effects will linger for many months.

One final thought — all crops need rain right now.

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