Alabama's ag chief says heavy rain hurting crops

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama's agriculture commissioner says heavy rains have damaged some Alabama crops and caused poor harvesting conditions.

Commissioner Ron Sparks said farmers are in a potential crisis mode if they don't get dry weather within the next two weeks.

He said most farmers were expecting a bumper crop before September, but then heavy rains started falling. He said the rains have reduced crop yields and quality on many farms. The most affected crops are cotton, soybeans, corn and peanuts.