Small Town News

Dry weather affecting crop Fields

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The lack of rain is taking a toll on Bath County farmers.

Drought conditions are lowering expectations for many of them and forcing some livestock producers to dip into winter hay supplies and truck water in for their animals.

"Pastures are getting fairly thin and some farmers are having difficulty with their water source," said Gary Hamilton, county extension agent for agriculture in Bath County.

Most farmers don't dip into their hay supply until December but the dry pastures have left them little choice, he said.

"Some cattle producers are reacting to the drought conditions by weaning calves early and culling some of the cow herd," Hamilton said.

Grain crops that were planted early in the year took advantage of earlier rains and will yield a decent harvest, he said.

"Maybe not as good as if we'd had normal rain, but enough to make a profit," he said.

But crops such as soybeans that were planted later didn't receive sufficient moisture to produce seed, which greatly lowers their yield, he said.

Soybeans have been hurt more than corn, which has filled out enough to make grain, he said.

Tobacco farmers are suffering because optimal curing conditions aren't present, which could result in a much lower price at the market.

Tobacco isn't getting a proper cure, Hamilton explained, because it isn't receiving the wet-dry-wet cycles that it needs to turn a dark color, which is what the tobacco companies want in today's market.

"Basically, it's drying too quickly in the barns and isn't going through the normal curing process. It'll be graded a lower quality," he said.

The difference in price per pound would be in the neighborhood of $1.70 per pound for higher grades compared to 90 centers per pound for lower grades, he said.

Gardeners and those who produce vegetables commercially haven't been hurt as much by the drought - if they've irrigated.

No irrigation means a growing season that's shortened tremendously, Hamilton said.

Tomatoes and beans that bloomed during the really hot days in July did not set fruit.

"The blooms just fell off," he said.

Gov. Steve Beshear is requesting disaster assistance for 35 Kentucky counties due to drought conditions.

Bath County isn't among them.

Currently, Bath County is considered "abnormally dry," according to the Office of the State Climatolo-gist and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.



Copyright 2010 The Bath County News-Outlook, Owingsville, Kentucky. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 The Bath County News-Outlook Owingsville, Kentucky. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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