US Farmers Fear Complete Crop Loss Without Rain Soon

[PatColo]

video at link below story...


Dry Weather Worries Farmers from Iowa to Pennsylvania (http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/52859/dry-weather-worries-farmers-fr.asp)


http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2010/images/personalities/65x50-bw/deger.png By Bill Deger, Meteorologist

Jul 26, 2011; 6:25 AM ET


http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/pub/includes/columns/newsstory/2011/300x190_07250916_ap0725_ohiocorn.jpg Recently planted corn stalks stand a few inches above ground on a farm, Friday, June 10, 2011 near Batavia, Ohio. Ohio farmers have been delayed planting crops by wet weather. This spring was the wettest on record for the southwestern Ohio area before dry weather took hold. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

"Farmers are fearing a complete loss of their crops without appreciable and prolonged rain events soon."

Prolonged dry conditions from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic this summer has some farmers concerned about how it will impact their crops.

The corn crop, an important staple along the parched agricultural zone extending from Iowa to Pennsylvania, is already being affected. According to some farmers, the timing couldn't be worse.

"Right now is a very critical time for corn," said Elizabeth A. Hinkel, district manager of the Schuylkill Conservation District to the Republican Herald of Pottsville, Pa (http://republicanherald.com/news/dry-summer-has-schuylkill-county-farmers-at-risk-of-losing-crops-1.1179597).

With the corn in tassel, the crop is beginning to pollinate, which requires ample amounts of moisture. "If there's no rain to aid in pollination and the plants are stressed, a lot of times it won't fill out," says Hinkel.

The reduced crop yield creates a domino effect and might force farmers to incur costs by purchasing feed for animals.

A few months ago, the growing scene couldn't have looked any more different.
Throughout the spring months, persistent rain led to an excess of moisture, which delayed planting in many parts of the "Corn Belt." The quick drying that followed planting turned the soil into a sort-of concrete, preventing the crops from developing a deep root system.

Related to the Story
• Taking Inventory of Your Farm Equipment (http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/outdoor/farming/50372/taking-inventory-of-your-farm.asp)
• When Your Garden Goes to Pot (http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/home-garden/gardening/52353/container-gardening-tips.asp)
• Warm-Weather Crops (http://www.accuweather.com/video/84246273001/warm-weather-crops.asp?channel=health)


According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor (http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html), the area impacted by this dry weather is expanding. Parts of eastern Iowa, northern parts of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and a large part of Pennsylvania are now considered "abnormally dry," a precursor to a full-blown drought.

Rainfall totals have been well less than 50 percent of normal in many areas.

As anyone with an outdoor garden can attest to, the blazing heat has been exacerbating the situation by further stressing out and even damaging crops.

Recent showers and thunderstorms have been helpful, dropping as much as a few inches of rain on these parched soils, but the short-term relief won't be enough.

Since many farms are not equipped with advanced irrigation systems, farmers fear a complete loss of their crops without appreciable and prolonged rain events soon.

http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/pub/includes/columns/newsstory/2011/400x266_07250917_0725_drgtmon.png
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor (http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html), released last Thursday, shows abnormally dry conditions in areas from eastern Iowa to Pennsylvania. (National Drought Mitigation Center)

The concerns over the dry weather go well beyond the farm, extending to the common homeowner. Conversations among meteorologists here at AccuWeather.com have slowly turned from garden health to the conditions of their lawns over the past few weeks.

"My yard is about to spontaneously combust," tweeted (http://twitter.com/#%21/ewilhelm01/status/93464449641484288) Senior Meteorologist Eric Wilhelm last week after a thunderstorm and its beneficial rainfall missed hitting his home.

While there appears to be opportunities for some rain this week, the storm track that has stayed persistently to the north doesn't look to be shifting much farther south anytime soon. Unfortunately, this will continue the dry, warm pattern throughout the zone over the next few weeks.

This pattern will also prolong a historic drought (http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/52844/driest-9-month-period-in-texas-1.asp) currently impacting Texas and the southern Plains.

http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/52859/dry-weather-worries-farmers-fr.asp

[Dogman]

Not only crops, In all of the deep drought areas, livestock is at risk also. Water sources are drying up, surface and also sub-surface.Springs and some shallow wells are starting to dry up as water tables are dropping. Double whammy, too dry for growing feed and also no water for livestock to drink. So ranchers are selling off herds. Watch the store prices for meat shoot past Jupiter soon.

[PatColo]

Discerning readers are surely asking themselves, how can I make some shweet profits from this brewing tragedy? :o???

Aside from going long grain futures, I present to you the CORN ETF (http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/quickchart/quickchart.asp?symb=CORN&sid=5006857&time=8) introduced last year.

Looks to me like it's poised for a new rally higher soon.

http://bigcharts.marketwatch.com/charts/big.chart?nosettings=1&symb=CORN&uf=0&type=2&size=2&sid=5006857&style=320&freq=1&time=8&rand=1395326325&compidx=&ma=0&maval=9&lf=1&lf2=0&lf3=0&height=335&width=579&mocktick=1

[mick silver]

meat done went though the roof . every time you go to the store the prices have went up

[palani]

meat done went though the roof . every time you go to the store the prices have went up

Reason for that. Yesterday the local news reported 160 steers lost during a flash flood in Iowa. Statewide around 4,000 head are said to have not survived the heat.

[LastResort]

The crop situation was not looking very good in my area of Ontario. Luckily this week we've had three good dumps of rain this week. I'm sure the harvest will still not be good this year though.

[Horn]

While there appears to be opportunities for some rain this week, the storm track that has stayed persistently to the north doesn't look to be shifting much farther south anytime soon. Unfortunately, this will continue the dry, warm pattern throughout the zone over the next few weeks.

The heat bubble seems to be breaking up, but yeah there's only a vacuum sound remaining over the U.S.

What's at the end or the 3 weeks, A cold dust bowl?

[Ponce]

"Learn Spaninsh and Chinese and buy water stock"... Ponce

Everyday we are getting closer and closer to what I have been saying for the past five years........yesterday I realise that the water that comes in from the pipe directly from the creek (without going first into the holding tanks) is as sweet as it can be and better tasting than water in a bottle........I am very lucky to have this water for free.

Yesterday the lady across the way came to my home to tell me that her well is dry and that someone told her that she should see me and tell me about it..........SAY WHAT?.......I have never spoken with them before this.......looks to me that someone told her that I was God Jr in trainning and that she wanted me to perform a miracle.

First post of the day.........good morning to one and all.

[osoab]

"Learn Spaninsh and Chinese and buy water stock"... Ponce

Everyday we are getting closer and closer to what I have been saying for the past five years........yesterday I realise that the water that comes in from the pipe directly from the creek (without going first into the holding tanks) is as sweet as it can be and better tasting than water in a bottle........I am very lucky to have this water for free.

Yesterday the lady across the way came to my home to tell me that her well is dry and that someone told her that she should see me and tell me about it..........SAY WHAT?.......I have never spoken with them before this.......looks to me that someone told her that I was God Jr in trainning and that she wanted me to perform a miracle.

First post of the day.........good morning to one and all.


I would tell her to cut the trees down that are near her well.

Ponce, she could just be sweet on you too. ;D

[Dogman]

"Learn Spaninsh and Chinese and buy water stock"... Ponce

Everyday we are getting closer and closer to what I have been saying for the past five years........yesterday I realise that the water that comes in from the pipe directly from the creek (without going first into the holding tanks) is as sweet as it can be and better tasting than water in a bottle........I am very lucky to have this water for free.

Yesterday the lady across the way came to my home to tell me that her well is dry and that someone told her that she should see me and tell me about it..........SAY WHAT?.......I have never spoken with them before this.......looks to me that someone told her that I was God Jr in trainning and that she wanted me to perform a miracle.

First post of the day.........good morning to one and all.


I would tell her to cut the trees down that are near her well.

Ponce, she could just be sweet on you too. ;D Ponce you are not blocking that creek or doing something that maybe interfering with your neighbors water tables are you? Does the creek flow from your area too hers?

Maybe connected with your picture taking cop? ?

Or she has heard of your omnipresent personality and you have a thing about water work's related things, flushing and such paperwork.

[Glass]

Maybe connected with your picture taking cop? ?


Good point. Make sure she is definately from round there....

[MNeagle]

bump for Ponce to see in the morning