Dry weather stressing state's corn, soybeans

Local farmer Perry Martin is hoping the dry spring weather and last week’s mid-90-degree days won’t have permanent adverse affects on the corn and soybeans he planted last month.

Crops all around Indiana already are showing signs of stress in Martin’s and others’ fields — leaves on corn stalks have curled, and soybean stems are having trouble breaking through dehydrated soil.

“It’s been tough,” said Martin, who has farmed 200 acres locally for about 37 years. “This is the driest I’ve seen in quite awhile.”

Farmers who have invested record amounts in their farms this year due to high fuel and other input costs have more riding than usual on the weather, making every bit of rainfall count, experts say.