Crops in Willamette Valley, Oregon, could be at risk as area receives more than double the average rainfall in March, newspaper reports

Andrew Rogers

ALBANY, Oregon , April 5, 2012 (Associated Press) – The weather is rarely perfect for farmers, and this spring has proved to be no exception in the Willamette Valley.

The Albany Democrat-Herald newspaper reports that the mid-Willamette Valley had 11.5 inches of rain in March, more than double the average rainfall for the month.

The valley is home to a great variety of crops, and Harrisburg farmer Kevin Seifert says each is affected by standing water to some degree.

Besides the rain, farmers are also dealing with cooler-than-normal temperatures.

Seifert says the crops are trying to grow, but need more heat.

Seifert says most of the grass-seed fields should be OK if the weather breaks soon. But rain is in the forecast for much of this week.

© 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.