Storms flood area fields, damage crops
6/8/2010Some farmers suffered damage to their crops from tornadoes and storms that moved through northwest Ohio over the weekend.
Jay Griffith, who farms near Luckey and is vice president of the Ohio Wheat Growers Association, said his and other farms in Wood County are under water and some fields in the area have storm debris that will need to be cleared before harvest.
This flooding is delaying his planting of soybeans and could affect his harvest of soft red winter wheat, he said. He has about 100 acres of wheat and plants 200 to 300 acres each of soybean and corn.
"[The storm] was narrow but devastating," Mr. Griffith said.
But he noted that the loss of life from the tornadoes and the loss of homes was "awful" and that is what the attention should focus on.
Brad Haas, a farmer in Weston, Ohio, and a board member of the state wheat growers group, also has flooded fields. A hailstorm a month ago damaged wheat crops in the area, including those of Mr. Haas.
Gov. Ted Strickland has declared a state of emergency for Fulton, Ottawa, and Wood counties. That will result in the availability of low-interest loans and other assistance for people and businesses in those areas.