This summer’s drought, the worst since 1934, will cost farmers throughout DeKalb County an estimated $300 million said Dave Whitson, extension adviser of agriculture at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau Extension Office.

Corn and soybeans, which make up 85 to 90 percent of all crops in the county, will suffer losses of up to 50 percent of their normal yield. This translates to about a $50,000 loss per farmer.

Fred Awe, farm manager for Doane Farm Management, said there has been a considerable amount of damage done by the dry weather but that not all areas and all farmers will be affected to the same degree. Losses will vary because certain areas received more rain than others and will in turn have higher yields.

“I’d say roughly we’re looking at a 50 to 60 percent corn crop as an average and a 65 to 80 percent average soybean crop (not lost),” Awe said. “Some areas of the county that got extra rainfall will have yields that are only 25 percent of the normal yield.”

The U.S. Congress has recently approved an emergency drought relief package to help farmers cope with their losses. The Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service will handle this drought program, which will financially help farmers with losses that exceed 35 percent of their normal yield. A crop that has yields of 65 percent or larger will not receive any direct assistance.

The payment a farmer will receive through the program will increase when his loss is more than 75 percent of normal yield.

“These government payments won’t ensure a profit for farmers,” Awe said, “but they will reduce the actual loss and will help farmers go on to next year and still meet financial obligations.”

Whitson said he believes 50 to 60 percent of area farmers will qualify for aid for at least part of their land. He broke down the losses, saying 35 percent will be affected, but not severely, and 35 percent will have to borrow extra operating money and might be set back somewhat in debt. Of the other 30 percent, half will survive with a chance to recover well over a few good years.

The drought is already affecting the prices of vegetables, dairy products and meat and will continue to do so through 1989. Whitson said he expects about a 10 percent increase in the price of most farm products.

One of the co-owners of Meat Master’s Butcher Shop, 1824 Sycamore Rd., said all of his meat prices will rise because of the drought, but he will not know the exact amount for about another month. It depends, he said, on how many farmers still have cattle to sell. If too many have sold their cattle early because they could not afford to feed them, the lack of cattle later will have a significant affect on the price of meat.