The effects of tough grain markets and fickle weather have made life tough for agronomists like Rio Creek Feed Mill’s Adam Barta. Farmers got a late start to planting this year, with some crops no less than two weeks off of last year’s pace. That is coupled with prices for wheat and corn taking a hit last week due to a higher than anticipated supply of the crops despite the rain making some fields unplantable. Barta says it has been tough recommending ways to make the numbers work, especially for dairy farmers dealing with deflated milk prices.

Despite the challenges, Barta says the season is still going well thanks to some recent warmer weather. He also hopes the late-season frost that can come in stays away for as long as it can.