Dry Weather Impacting Corn

WILLIAMSPORT — Corn on the cob is a staple on the dinner table in the summertime, but some farmers said all the hot, dry weather in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania has not been good for this year’s corn crop. Snyder’s Sweet Corn near Williamsport is bustling with people buying and peeling corn on the cob.

“We can’t wait until we get it, and this is the first we’ve had it this year,” said Nina Dempsey of Williamsport.

Snyder’s Sweet Corn opened last weekend in Lycoming County. Scott Snyder and his family own 50 acres of fields, which they pick from every day. Snyder said the corn needs sun to make it sweet, and rain to make it grow. He’s had the sun, but not the rain.

“We’re not in dire straights yet, but if we don’t get some rain pretty soon we could be in a little bit of trouble,” said Snyder.

According to Chief Meteorologist Tom Clark, rainfall in Lycoming County this year is almost four inches below average. Snyder said the dry conditions are having an impact on his corn.

Snyder said when it gets really hot outside, around 90 degrees, the leaves on the corn start to curl in. That is the corn protecting itself.

“The ears will be a little smaller in dry periods, but they’re still the same great corn you always get here,” said Snyder.

Even though the corn may be a bit smaller, Tom and Nina Dempsey said it doesn’t matter.

“It looks great. It probably tastes even better,” said Dempsey.

Snyder said corn on the cob season runs until mid to late September.