Overall, things on Ed Beeler’s farm are looking okay, except for some of the cornfields known to be wet. His soybeans are looking good, especially the seed beans, which are excellent.

"Everybody got their hay finished in this area," he said. "A lot of people were still doing the first cutting in August. I got finished with all of mine the first week in August. I’ve got second cutting done, and some of third. "

"We could stand some rain. Because of it being so wet all summer, we need rain now."

Rain would be welcome across Ohio, according to the NASS Great Lakes region report for the week ending Aug. 30.

Some growers noted improvements in crop conditions despite the dry weather, while others said the dry conditions are becoming a larger concern, particularly where early-season wet conditions lead to shallow root systems, the report said.

Also, fall-like temperatures were delaying maturity among various crops. Livestock producers have had to supplement with hay as many pastures have been grazed to stubble.

With 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork, crop progress for the week showed 87 percent of corn in dough. Last year it was at 86 percent and the five-year average was 88 percent. Fifty percent of corn was dented, compared with 48 percent for the five-year average.

Corn harvested for silage was at 12 percent, compared with 2 percent last year and 23 for the five-year average. Thirty-nine percent of the crop was in good condition.

Soybeans setting pods were at 96 percent, the same as last year and for the five-year average. Three percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, compared with 8 percent for the five-year average. Overall, 38 percent of the crop was rated good.

Third cutting of alfalfa hay was 76 percent finished, compared to 75 percent last year. Other hay, second cutting, was 82 percent finished compared to 100 percent last year. Third cutting was 35 percent finished, compared to 62 last year.