Concordia Parish wheat farmers may see lower yields this harvest if rain continues in the Miss-Lou.

According the rain gauge at the Vidalia Fire Department, Concordia Parish had about two inches of rainfall over the last week.

Farm consultant Cecil Parker said the rain and cold temperatures have retarded wheat growth.

“It’s not growing as well because it’s water-logged,” Parker said Saturday.

“Also, this wet weather has slowed the fertilizing and herbicide (application) process.”

But if the rain continues, Parker said wheat will become saturated and turn a yellowish color.

Concordia Parish Agriculture Extension Agent Glen Daniels said he estimates parish farmers planted about 8,000 acres in wheat this year, compared to 2,000 acres last year.

“Last year wheat acreage was down because prices were down $3.20 to $3.50 per bushel,” Daniels said. “This year a lot of people booked wheat above $4 prices.”

If rain continues throughout the parish, Daniels said wheat stands will diminish but it will not be a significant loss because wheat is not a major crop in the parish.

“We probably plant 180,000 acres of cropland (in the parish) in other crops like soybeans, corn and cotton,” he said.

Parker said other crops could suffer if the rain doesn’t stop.

More rain could prevent corn farmers from burning their fields in preparation for planting corn, he said.

“If we don’t burn down timely, within the next couple of weeks, we’ll be delayed in planting our corn on time,” he said. We’re not in a critical situation yet, but we’ll get there shortly if we don’t get a little break in the weather.”

According to the Weather Channel’s Web site, the 10-day forecast for Vidalia shows mostly sunny skies except for a 30 percent chance of rain Jan. 24 and a 60 percent chance Jan. 30.