Harvest Season Woes: Diesel Prices Pinch Farmer Profits

For farmers in central Maryland, diesel prices are taking a toll on their profits as the harvest season approaches. Chris Rath's farm received some welcome rain this past week, but he still faces challenges in controlling crop stress due to extreme weather conditions.

Rath has been growing green snap beans for two years now, and they follow English peas in his rotation. He has a Syngenta variety plot on the farm featuring dozens of different varieties. Rath's focus is on making sure his crops are strong until the end of the harvest season.

Meanwhile, Chris Weaver's farm has been affected by drought conditions throughout the year. He hopes for more rain to help with crop growth but acknowledges that too much water can also be a problem. Weaver is proactive in addressing soil microbial composition and activity, conducting intensive soil testing to take a closer look at fungal-to-bacterial ratios.

Weaver has implemented preventative maintenance measures for 2027, including planter inspections and cover crops. He targets 25% moisture levels to start shelling corn and aims to be done with harvest before Thanksgiving.