Thursday July 26, 2007
DROUGHT
The 'd' word: Farmer still struggling in Clark County
by Mike Wynn
Despite increased rainfall in recent weeks, the Bluegrass region remains in a moderate drought that continues to threaten crops and hay supply for many Clark County farms.
According to the University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center, the region is more than 7 inches below normal precipitation for the year. Short-term crop moisture status has improved, but more rainfall is needed soon, according to the center.
Clark County Extension Agent Frank Hicks estimates that local farmers will need a weekly average of an inch to inch and a half of rainfall to make 2007 a "reasonable" year.
"Are we likely to get that? Probably not," he said.
Some farms are in more serious shape then others, said Hicks, but overall tobacco and corn crops are hurting along with hay.
"If we go into the fall and winter with short pastures and a short supply of hay, then there are some pretty early decisions that need to be made in order to maintain a beef herd throughout the winter," said Hicks.
According to the 2002 USDA Agricultural Census, Clark County boasts more than 800 farming operations. Livestock generates about $14 million of cash receipts each year and crops generate about $8 million.
Hicks estimated that about 500 households depend on farming as a major portion of annual income.
He said that tobacco crops withstand an early drought well and are looking better then last month. But corn crops are struggling and will not recover with late rains, he said. Vegetable producers likely have irrigation systems.
Meanwhile, Hicks explained that early hay only produced about a 50 percent yield, and late hay will likely be less.
"If we wind up with half of a hay crop, then cattle producers are going to have to do some things differently than they do in a normal year," he said.
Options for farmers include selling some cattle, weaning calves early or shipping in hay from other regions, which Hicks described as expensive.
Farmers can also use soybean hulls or corn gluten as replacement feed. Those feeds are cheaper. However, they are less filling and have to be individually rationed to each cow, which increases the labor factor.
Clark County also suffered from a drought last year, but Hicks said it's too soon to tell if summer drought is becoming a trend.
"Obviously the more difficult years in a row you have, the more difficult it is to maintain a business and get the bills paid," he said.
It appears that Clark County could get some more relief this weekend.
The National Weather Service is predicting a 40 to 50 percent chance of thunderstorms today through Saturday. However, the Agricultural Weather Center is forecasting that rainfall will remain below normal during the first week of August.
Copyright:The Winchester Sun 2007
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