ST. CLAIR, Ill. (First Alert 4) -It’s harvest time for soybean farmers in Illinois and Missouri. But the long, dry stretch of summer weather took a toll on this year’s crop.

“I think the beans are going to be a little on the shy side of average,” said Paul Beisiegal.

Beisiegal is a 7th-generation farmer who grows soybeans, wheat and alfalfa south of Freeburg.

The harvest comes amid difficult times for farmers. Soybean prices have been dropping, while costs have steadily risen. Many farmers have suffered three years of losses.

But the biggest blow for soybean farmers was China’s boycott this year of U.S. soybeans in retaliation for tariffs. China is the biggest customer of American soybeans, but if the boycott continues, China will purchase $10 billion fewer soybeans than last year.

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