DARLINGTON - Lafayette County farmers face the same problems as others farmers across the state.
A decline in the price of milk and concerns about the weather are things they have to deal with on a regular basis.
Lafayette County relies on agriculture more than any other county, Lafayette County Board of Supervisors member Wayne Wilson said. Wilson also is chairman of the county's Agriculture Committee.
"When dairy farming is good, farmers spend money on main street," he said.
Milk prices have dropped over the past year and farmers have had trouble getting by, he said.
"The one thing they don't want to do is spend more money for feed. That never goes down in price," he said.
But farmers are resilient, he added. They've been through tough times before and they will again.
Farmers are part of a profession that have to deal with factors beyond their control. To make the corn grow, they need rain and warm temperatures; but to make hay they need dry weather.
The weather is a variable every year, every week and every day, in some cases. A powerful storm can damage a corn crop beyond repair, and a dry summer can have a devastating impact on the fall harvest.
Ted Bay, Lafayette County ag agent, said there's been enough rain so far this year but farmers need warmer temperatures.
"The corn is a little behind, but it's doing well," Bay said. "People have good expectation for corn this year."
The alfalfa crop also is doing well, he said.
"People have said they've had pretty good yields," Bay said.
Most farmers either have cut their second crop of alfalfa or are ready to cut their second crop. Some even are ready for a third crop, which means they could also get a fourth crop by the end of August. The last major cut will be about the first week of September, Bay said.
Soybeans need warmer temperatures. The soybean crop isn't as far along as it should be because of the cooler weather. The leaves need to grow to cover the space between the rows.
While farming also will be a challenge, one of the bright spots could be the number of young people involved with local 4-H clubs, Lafayette County 4-H Youth Development Educator Jessie Potterton said.
"The number of kids in 4-H continues to increase," she said.
Kids go to club meetings and talk about how much fun they have and how much they look forward to the county fair. Strong leaders have helped increase the number of kids involved with 4-H, she added.
That's a good sign for Lafayette County's future, she said.
Farming will remain an important part of the county.
A decline in the price of milk and concerns about the weather are things they have to deal with on a regular basis.
Lafayette County relies on agriculture more than any other county, Lafayette County Board of Supervisors member Wayne Wilson said. Wilson also is chairman of the county's Agriculture Committee.
"When dairy farming is good, farmers spend money on main street," he said.
Milk prices have dropped over the past year and farmers have had trouble getting by, he said.
"The one thing they don't want to do is spend more money for feed. That never goes down in price," he said.
But farmers are resilient, he added. They've been through tough times before and they will again.
Farmers are part of a profession that have to deal with factors beyond their control. To make the corn grow, they need rain and warm temperatures; but to make hay they need dry weather.
The weather is a variable every year, every week and every day, in some cases. A powerful storm can damage a corn crop beyond repair, and a dry summer can have a devastating impact on the fall harvest.
Ted Bay, Lafayette County ag agent, said there's been enough rain so far this year but farmers need warmer temperatures.
"The corn is a little behind, but it's doing well," Bay said. "People have good expectation for corn this year."
The alfalfa crop also is doing well, he said.
"People have said they've had pretty good yields," Bay said.
Most farmers either have cut their second crop of alfalfa or are ready to cut their second crop. Some even are ready for a third crop, which means they could also get a fourth crop by the end of August. The last major cut will be about the first week of September, Bay said.
Soybeans need warmer temperatures. The soybean crop isn't as far along as it should be because of the cooler weather. The leaves need to grow to cover the space between the rows.
While farming also will be a challenge, one of the bright spots could be the number of young people involved with local 4-H clubs, Lafayette County 4-H Youth Development Educator Jessie Potterton said.
"The number of kids in 4-H continues to increase," she said.
Kids go to club meetings and talk about how much fun they have and how much they look forward to the county fair. Strong leaders have helped increase the number of kids involved with 4-H, she added.
That's a good sign for Lafayette County's future, she said.
Farming will remain an important part of the county.