Sean Dengler.

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day. Some may say farmers are like Goldilocks with the weather where it is too wet or too dry, farmers must deal with the consequences. Coming off several dry years, this year has felt like living in the Amazon rainforest. Before this deluge of rain in September, fields looked extra wet driving north on I-35 north of Ames. By wet, this means prevalent potholes with no cash crop growing. East of Des Moines near Colfax also looked similar.

All this water is trying to go somewhere during this extremely wet growing season. The tile outlets must be running for most if not all this growing season. When the rain turns off, harvest will start whether the field wants it or not. With no 80-plus degree temperature days on the way, fields will have a tougher time to dry out.

Whether one works for, with, or adjacent to farmers, this harvest might be a tad more stressful with the extra mud everyone is dealing with. Patience will be needed for this harvest as fields will not be as cooperative. While recent harvests have been drier and the worry about the combine starting on fire due to high heat and high winds existed, this harvest will be the opposite. Compaction issues could happen in the fields which do not dry out as fast, but the crops are calling to be harvested.

If there was a year to utilize cover crops before harvest and without it getting out of control, this would have been the year to do so to help control the moisture issue. Hopefully, this rain coming from “ridge riders,” which are thunderstorms along the edge of heat domes south of Iowa, will subside soon for harvest, but with how this year is going, who knows if this will be the case. For farmers’ sake, it better be.

If the rain continues, harvest season might lead to a later harvest end date for all. For everyone involved in agriculture including the farmer, harvest is always stressful. With this extra level of moisture, this harvest will require an extra level of care. Stress will happen, and it is more important to take care of oneself. The crop will eventually get in, but if one does not keep their stress in check, it could take longer. If you are a farmer, be mindful of your stress. If you know a farmer, periodically check on them.

Harvest is always tough. While this extra moisture may cause more stress, family and friends is what matters most. No matter how long or hard harvest is, life will still be waiting. Be grateful for the fruitful gifts the land provides. I also wish everyone a safe and bountiful harvest. Hopefully, the markets will reward your hard work. May the rain pass and stay passed so harvest can commence and lead to success. Hopefully, the rain will go away and come back well after harvest.

Sean Dengler is a writer, comedian, now-retired beginning farmer, and host of the Pandaring Talk podcast who grew up on a farm between Traer and Dysart. You can reach him at sean.h.dengler@gmail.com.