Hopes are high as crops get rain

By Lance Griffin

Published: July 24, 2008

When the rain is falling, the crops are watered and the forecast is good, farmers are quiet.

They can be superstitious, much like the baseball pitcher who has a no-hitter through seven innings. He doesn’t want to say anything and his teammates don’t want to say anything to him, lest he give up six consecutive hits in the next inning.

It’s not as if the rain has been plentiful in the Wiregrass this summer. While rainfall amounts vary throughout Southeast Alabama, all amounts are below normal for the 30-year average.

But things are better than they have been the past two dusty summers. That’s why Wiregrass Research and Extension Center Specialist William Birdsong talks about peanuts and cotton with a hint of optimism seasoned by 10 bushels of caution.

“At this point in the season, crops are looking a lot better than they have in certainly the past two years and maybe more,” Birdsong said. “The potential is there for a good crop.

“But we can’t sell potential,” he added.

With most harvests still around two months away, a long period without rain can dry up crops as well as any optimism that may exist deep in the hearts of farmers now.

And it doesn’t mean that all Wiregrass crops are in the same shape. According to the latest numbers from the National Agricultural Statistical Service, rainfall amounts range anywhere from 2.11 inches below normal in Geneva to 11.88 inches below normal in Dothan.

“Not all farms are getting the same amount of rain. If those areas that haven’t been getting much rain don’t get any rain over next two or three weeks, then you would have considerable yield loss in those areas,” Birdsong said.

Birdsong said farmers need a good crop to help offset the skyrocketing cost of diesel fuel, fertilizer and chemicals. He said costs have doubled and sometimes tripled since last year.

And, superstition aside, chances of a solid crop of cotton and peanuts are pretty good.

“I would much rather be in this position at this time, than where we have been the past two or three years,” Birdsong said.