Heavy snow slows remaining corn harvest (11:19 p.m. 12/12/09)

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) — The heavy snowfall has put a halt on what was left of the remaining corn harvest in western Wisconsin.

WQOW-TV in Eau Claire reported that typically at this time of year only about 5 percent of corn is left in the field. But Jerry Clark of the University of Wisconsin Extension office said there’s 25 percent or more remaining.

That’s because the fall harvest was delayed by a cool growing season and wet October.

Clark said with the snow, anything left in the fields may have to wait until spring, but that if the snow settles and slightly warmer temperatures return, farmers might be able to save more of the crop.

This year’s harvest was near record setting for corn yields, so Clark said weather issues shouldn’t cause a shortage.

Information from: WQOW-TV, http://www.wqow.com