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Summer Drought Hurting Farmers In Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (CBS) -- This summer's drought is really hurting some farmers in Indiana.

As WBBM Newsradio's Dave Marsett reports, agriculture experts say those farmers could take a financial hit, if they can't grow enough crops to fill their contracts --- most farmers sell their crops ahead of time.

If they can't fill those orders, they could take a major loss.

In Indiana, less than half the normal amount of rain has fallen since May 1.

The state's Department of Agriculture reports that corn is beginning to tassel early in the dry weather and that soybeans also are blooming early.

Purdue Extension economist Chris Hurt says farmers who sold a large percentage of their anticipated crops on future delivery contracts could be especially hard-hit financially if they don't grown enough to meet those contracts.

The National Weather Service says last month was the driest June on record for Indianapolis and Evansville. Indianapolis recorded only 0.09 of an inch of rain.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Dave Marsett reports

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(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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