From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Nov. 16, 1972:

Local farmers just couldn’t catch a break this fall. First, rain had made the fields too soggy to support harvesting equipment; now, an early snowfall had left 2.75 inches of the white stuff on the ground, making the harvest even more discouraging. Douglas County Extension Agent Earl Van Meter said today that the best hope now for farmers was a long freeze which would make the ground firmer. “We know good and well that we’re going to take a 20 percent yield reduction in soybeans in the county this year, Van Meter said, adding that in addition to the problem of access, weakened stalks were beginning to collapse under the weight of moisture, and mold was beginning to appear in some cases.