Despite some rain earlier this week, drought conditions persist in Hancock
County. If the county does not receive a large rain in the next couple of
weeks, the dry weather threatens to cripple agricultural production this
year.

"I think it is the worst, this early in the season, that anybody has ever
experienced," local farmer Ellis Russelburg said.

Agricultural extension agent Diane Perkins said moderately severe drought
conditions exist in Hancock County right now. The extremely dry weather
hurts nearly every type of crop in the county, with the drought affecting
hay the most.

"Our hay producers are maybe hurting the most because hay is being baled now
and we are getting only a half to two-thirds of normal yield," Perkins said.

"Pastures are so dry, they (cattle producers) are having to feed part of
their winter hay now."

The lack of adequate hay production may force many cattle producers to start
selling off parts of their herds, local cattleman Henry Hall said.

"If this weather system does not break and break right away, it is going to
be dire for the farming industry in this area," Hall said.

The lack of rain also complicated planting season for many farmers, Perkins
said.

"It is bad for the soybean producers that have planted on ridges," she said.

"The ridges have dried out and the soybeans did not germinate. Several of
the farmers are having to replant."

Fortunately, soybeans tolerate dry weather better than most crops, local
farmer Stephen Emmick said. Soybeans do not need rain until they start to
bloom, which occurs later in the growing season.

Corn is the one crop needing rain now. Corn needs rain roughly two weeks
before it starts tasseling (the precursor for ears of corn), and and in the
following two weeks. Many corn crops are at this point now.

With the dry conditions that exist now, the corn crop needs around an inch
and a half to two inches of rain.

"If we don't get a rain before long, we are going to break even at best,"
farmer Shelby Emmick said. "Either we need rain or a break from the heat."

The one crop seemingly not affected by the drought is tobacco. Shelby Emmick
said tobacco likes dry weather, and at this stage in its development does
not need rain. Emmick said he grows around 60 acres of tobacco.