AUBURN, MI (WNEM) -
Farmers say they desperately need rain for their crops, especially for the corn.
After a great spring with plenty of rain and decent growing weather, corn popped up, but it has since stalled because of drought conditions that Michigan and much of the Midwest are facing.
The USDA says 41 percent of Michigan's corn crop is poor to very poor at this stage of growth. Farmers near Auburn, where the Auburn Corn Festival kicks off Thursday, say the fall harvest is not looking so good.
"It's going to be a very poor crop this year unless we get rain very soon," said farmer John Burk.
In areas where the ground is sandy, corn is struggling because the ground cannot retain water. Where the ground is thicker and made of clay, the crop is hanging on because the ground holds water better. But even in clay areas, farmers say it is drying up quick.
"Pray for rain, it's time to pray to get the adequate rain we need," said farmer Bob Kernstock.
Field corn is what farmers harvest in the fall. The crop is used primarily to feed cattle and to make ethanol. But for this weekend's festival, organizers say sweet corn this year is in good shape. This is the case because of the great spring growing weather.
"This is sweet corn, so this doesn't go to maturity like the field corn and the other crops, they get harvested in the fall," said Rich Kernstock.
And if there's going to be a decent fall harvest, Mother Nature is going to need to pitch in.
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