Down on the Farm with Ben Simons: "We needed the sunlight and we needed this little extended dry period for the crops to finally mature"

STAR HILL- Although it's on the later side, this extended period of warmth and sunshine has certainly helped things dry out throughout the North Country.

That's according to Ben Simons, a local dairy farmer near the Remsen and Steuben, NY areas. "So even though we are running three-weeks behind on our growing season, the crops are coming along very nicely," he told us.

Following a drought in May, Simons explains that a wet and cooler than normal summer and smoke drifting down from Canada were other key factors for putting several crops behind.

"We are now just getting into the chopping season and some farmers are still waiting because the moisture content that's in the corn is still high," Simons told us.

"Traditionally, you get into the first of October and you start getting those fall rains and then we could be back into mud season, which is what we are trying to battle."

Amidst the harvest season, Simons extends a firm, yet friendly reminder for drivers to beware and to be patient for the increased presence of farming machinery and equipment on the roadways. 

In his third 'Down on the Farm' segment for North Country News on Friday, September 29, Ben Simons also discussed what a likely U.S. Government shutdown will do to the agriculture and dairy industries. 

Be sure to listen here for our latest on-air segment:

Ben Simons image.