The excessive rains that have plagued farmers and kept them from the fields this spring have paused long enough to allow some planting to begin, according to Crittenden County U.K. Ag Extension Agent Corey Payne.Payne said on Tuesday of this week that about 10 percent of the corn intended for Crittenden County fields had been planted, with more continuing all week. Despite cooler weather, sunshine and wind have helped to dry out the land for planting.
Until the last week, no corn had been planted in the county. Payne said, however, that crops were really not that late. Optimum planting for the area is the third week of April and, generally, the cut-off is mid-May. After that time, he said, it would be best to plant soybeans.
Meantime, winter crops are almost ready for harvest.
Payne said that in a couple of weeks, winter wheat planted in the fall would be mature. This year, he said more wheat had been planted in the county than in recent memory, perhaps ever. Around 1,500 acres of wheat was planted last fall.
Another crop planted in the autumn and near maturity for harvest is canola, not often planted in the county. The blossoms have created a sea of yellow along Ky. 70 between Dycusburg and Frances. Payne said hundreds of acres were planted this year by land tended by Larry and Philip Parish and Chris Hooks.
Canola is a cool-weather crop developed in Canada in the 1970s from cross-breeding other plants. In fact, the name canola is derived from Canadian oil, low acid. Canola oil is used in cooking and is a major export for both Canada and the United States.
Conala plants put off a pungent smell as they near maturity.
