by Mark Bellinger
TULLAHOMA, Tenn.- Recent rains have turned drought stricken yards and gardens from brown to green, but for some the rain is too little too late.
Tullahoma farmer Mickey Crick said that although the rain that July brought was a relief from the previous month's drought, it may not help his crops.
"I don't think it will have a chance," he said.
His cornfield is green, but looks are deceiving. The ears are corn are behind were they should be in growth. A typical harvest is usually in September or October.
"It should make 140 bushel. If it makes 40 or 50 I'll be surprised. I don't believe it will," said Crick.
That means a crop loss of 70 percent. Corn is not the only crop that is struggling. Farmers say they may also lose money this year on soy beans and hay.
"Crops were devastated. It was pretty bad,' said University of Tennessee extension agent John Teague
Teague said farmers don't necessarily consider hay a crop, but it supports so much livestock it's hard not to.
"The hay crop that was harvested late spring to early summer. Our numbers indicate it's somewhere in the 25 to 30 percent of norma, "said Teague.
Farmers who raise cattle have cut herd sizes to save money. Some are shopping for hay out of state.
"The governor did sign an executive order to allow the big trucks to haul wider and taller loads that those big rolls of hay make," said Teague.
Many farmers carry crop insurance, but in many cases it won't cover all of the loss.
"Farmers are always optimistic about next year. If they weren't they'd have heart attacks and die. They've got to be strong willed and strong hearted," said Crick.
Teague also said poor corn crops across the country may mean higher food costs at the end of the year.
