Farmers across southern Wisconsin have grown weary of the hot, dry weather that has plagued the 2012 growing season from May through the first two weeks of July. Most are looking for relief from the intense heat and drought.
That includes Campbellsport dairy farmer Jim Senn who farms 770 acres and milks 307 cows with his wife Deb in southeastern Fond du Lac County.
"To put it quite simply, we need rain," Senn says, wiping sweat from his brow on a sticky July afternoon that saw temperatures hover near 100 degrees.
UNEVEN CORN: Later planted corn at Jim Senn's farm near Campbellsport came up uneven due to a lack of rain in May, June and July.
Like most farmers in southern Wisconsin, the Senns have seen little rain at their farm this growing season.
"We got an inch and a half of rain the first week of May, and then we got very little after that," Senn says.
The Senns only had an inch and a half of rain between May 7 and July 8.
Signs of stress
The hot, dry weather has taken a toll on their crops.
WITHERING CROPS: Campbellsport dairy farmer Jim Senn is hoping rain arrives before his corn starts tasseling. Senn farms 770 acres and milks 307 cows in southeastern Fond du Lac County.
"I see a lot of corn curling, especially in the afternoon. In the mornings, it looks OK, but by afternoon it's rolling even on the flat areas. The knolls are worse."