DAYTON — Ohio farmers could lose nearly $1 billion due to late planting of corn and soybeans this spring Barry Ward, production business management leader with Ohio State University Extension predicted in a recent study.

“We certainly take his estimate seriously,” said Jennifer Coleman, spokeswoman for the Ohio Soybean Association. “It wasn’t a complete surprise. It’s been one of the wettest springs and very challenging for farmers.”

Ward, an assistant professor in Ohio State’s Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, predicted that late planting could cost corn growers $720 million and soybean growers $260 million.

“The weather this summer is going to make the ultimate difference,” Coleman said. “We’re hoping for the best to keep the losses at a minimum.”

Since April 1, there have only been 14.2 days suitable for fieldwork. From 2006 to 2010, the average number of available days was 33.5.

Since the harvest has been fairly successful in the past, Coleman said the loss this year might not be as harmful.

“The past four years have been very good for Ohio,” she said. “It depended on the region. We did expect some losses, so that wasn’t a surprise.”

The $1 billion estimate doesn’t factor in parts of agriculture other than corn and soybeans. But that doesn’t mean other areas aren’t taking a hit. Last week, only 36 percent of cucumbers were planted while 68 percent were planted this time last year. Sixty-nine percent of oats were planted while 100 percent of oats were planted in previous years. Forty-eight percent of potatoes were planted, in comparison to the 96 percent planted last year.

Coleman said that location and terrain make all the difference, and many farmers rely on their crop consultants to make the call.

“We’re hopeful they’ll still have a chance to be profitable this year.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2295 or hbealer@DaytonDailyNews.com.