Farmers in Southwest Michigan going "full throttle" to get planting started

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- It's finally go-time for some farmers in Southwest Michigan, after rainy weather has kept them out of their fields for most of the spring.

Every second counts for farmers like the Bakers...especially with more rain on the way Friday and potentially more storms next week.

This is Shawn baker's first year farming corn and soybeans in the Galien area. The spring weather hasn't been kind to kick off his first year.

He said he's been delayed, having to seemingly dodge rains every two or three days. However, he was pleasantly surprised with his field conditions when he surveyed things earlier this week.

The ground is working up really nice, Shawn Baker said. "We've only got one field of soybeans in, which is about two weeks late of last year, and we'll probably start a little corn planting this week too."

Tera Baker said that drivers should expect to be sharing the road with lots of local farmers over the next few weeks.

"We need all the community's help to watch out for tractors on the road," Tera Baker explained. "Watch out for equipment. Watch out for people getting in and out and moving implements, because farm safety is really important."