After the shortage of rain last year, Illinois farmers have geared up for a long fight against Mother Nature.

Soil moisture is not what it was in previous years, and meteorologists agree one bad year with a lack of rain could take years to fully repair.

“People need to understand that one bad year could spell problems for years to come,” said Robert W. Scott, meteorologist for Illinois State Water Survey. “Unless we get a year with high amounts of rain, we could be in this situation for a few more years. Unfortunately, drought is a gradual thing, and we will be in various degrees of trouble for several years.”

Fortunately, with a little help from Mother Nature and some timely rainfall, crops may still pull through with a decent yield this year.

“Soil moisture levels in DeKalb are around 77 percent of normal levels. With this level of soil moisture we will need about an average of about one inch a week in order to maintain a strong crop yield,” Scott said.

Additionally, the DeKalb Farm Bureau agrees with this statement and voices support for troubled farmers.

“There is enough soil moisture for germination, but to keep a sustained crop we will need about an average of one inch per week. However, if the rain fails and crop yields are reduced by 30 percent, there may be government assistance available,” said Doug Dashner, manager of the DeKalb Farm Bureau.

Local farm owner James Walter of Walter Farms voiced concern over the soil-moisture levels.

“I am surprised that official reports place the soil moisture so high. I would have placed moisture levels at about 50 to 55 percent of normal levels.

Still, I concur with the amount of rain needed to develop a strong crop, but it is important to remember we need rain or reserve moisture in months like July and August when plant growth is more crucial,” Walter said.

Still, Walter said even though the lack of rain adversely affects the crops there are some safety nets in place.

“If crop performance is really poor, most farmers have insurance like Group Risk Income Protection, which augments farmers if crop yields are low or income significantly drops,” he said.