Producers are becoming concerned about delayed planting, or in some cases being prevented from planting due to excess precipitation.

This spring is shaping up as one of the worst in many years. One report indicated that it has rained 38 of the last 48 days. Spring planting of all types of crops is being affected. Depending on how the growing season shapes up, yields could be impacted.

For example, corn for grain will lose 1 bushel of yield for every day that planting is delayed beyond May 15.

Producers really cannot do anything about it but wait until soil conditions improve. Although, some are planning to plant more soybeans instead of corn or oats.

Dairy producers still have plenty of manure to haul and alfalfa is now ready to harvest. Add those chores to the delayed planting schedules and that will equal a significant workload and a lot of stress. On a good note, some producers did get some planting accomplished last week.

Exploding Watermelons

Watermelon fields in eastern China are a mess of burst fruit after farmers used growth chemicals in an attempt to make extra money but ended up ruining their crops.

An investigative report by China Central Television found farms in and around Danyang city in Jiangsu province were losing acres of fruit to the problem.

The farmers sprayed forchlorfenuron, a growth accelerator, during overly wet weather and put it on too late in the season, which made the melons burst, CCTV said, citing agricultural experts.

It said most watermelons sold at a wholesale market in nearby Shanghai were believed to have been treated with forchlorfenuron. Telltale signs are fibrous, misshapen fruit with mostly white instead of black seeds, it said.

Chinese regulations don’t forbid use of the substance. It is also allowed in the United States for use on kiwi fruit and grapes. But the report underscores how farmers in China are abusing both legal and illegal chemicals, with many farms misusing pesticides and fertilizers.

Watermelon fields are a mess after farmers abused growth chemicals, which caused the fruit to burst. The government has already voiced alarm over the widespread overuse of food additives like dyes and sweeteners that retailers hope will make food more attractive and boost sales.

This is an example of how unsafe food can be that is imported. Stories such as this should make everyone appreciate our nation’s producers that provide the most abundant and safest food in the world.

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