April’s heavy rains have been devastating Mississippi’s agriculture, as they delay planting, postpone management and flood fields.
Heavy rains that accompanied the late-April storms added to already soggy soils and are pushing some planting dates dangerously late.
“In Quitman County, there are hundreds of acres of farmland under water,” said Don Respess, Coahoma County director with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. “There is nowhere for the water to go. If the fields have been planted, the crops will be destroyed. If they’re not planted yet, they won’t be for a while.”
Although some corn will have to be replanted, many corn fields in the north part of the Delta have been planted. Some soybeans are planted, but very little cotton.
“Farmers are anxious to get in the field to plant cotton,” Respess said. “We got excessive rains Wednesday, and that water will delay planting longer.”

Read more