GAINESVILLE, Fla. (UF/IFAS) — A new study from University of Florida (UF) researchers examines the relationship between wet and dry season length and the potential for lightning-ignited fires. The study, led by faculty from the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC), highlights trends in dry season length in the southeastern region of …
Farmers Preparing for Drought Conditions
While recent rains were welcome, more than 34 percent of Alabama still faces abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions. This has many livestock producers worried about providing their animals with enough to eat and drink. Landon Marks, an Alabama Extension animal science regional agent, said some northeastern Alabama areas are starting to see effects of the abnormally dry weather. “Water …
Agri View: Cloud Seeding for Rain
Everett Griner talks about cloud seeding still being studied in today’s Agri View. Cloud Seeding for Rain You know, it was many years ago that farmers fought drought, and dry weather, by seeding the clouds. That is, they hired aviators to fly into what clouds existed to spray them with a designated chemical that would produce rain. It produced results, …
Drought Monitor Shows Continued Dryness
If one were to draw a line roughly at or south of Interstate 80 across the central U.S. and look south, drought conditions would raise major alarm bells. As such, a split through Corn Belt shows much of the area south of the Interstate 80 corridor in a classified drought. The latest Drought Monitor released Thursday shows areas of extreme …
Continued Drought Could Lead to Cattle Culling in Southern States
A Texas A & M AgriLife Extension expert says southern beef producers should be planning ahead when it comes to the size of their herds, should the drought continue. Jason Banta says a shortage of forage and hay might mean producers would need to reduce their herd sizes. A plan to cull their herds could save producers money in both …
Scientist Say U.S. Climate Boundary Shifting East
Scientist say a climate boundary separating the east and west United States discovered more than 100 years ago has shifted 140 miles east. In a report published by Columbia University, scientist say global warming has pushed the boundary east, and could have significant implications on farming in the region. Scientist say that due to global-scale wind patterns, to the west …
Seven Counties in Alabama Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Assistance to Producers in Mississippi The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Bibb, Jefferson, Pickens, St. Clair, Shelby, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties in Alabama as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in the contiguous counties in Alabama also qualify for natural disaster assistance. Those counties are: Blount Etowah Marion Calhoun Fayette Perry Chilton …
Southeast Under Moderate Drought
During a recent meeting, it was brought up that the Southeast is currently experiencing a moderate drought. Tyron Spearman has the story. Southeast Under Moderate Drought
Southern Plains Drought Becoming “Rapidly Dire”
The latest Drought Monitor released Thursday suggests the situation in the Southern Plains is becoming “rapidly dire.” February 14th marked the 124th consecutive day without rain in Amarillo, Texas, and the 98th consecutive day without measurable precipitation for Lubbock, Texas. The western half of Oklahoma and northern Texas are classified in an extreme drought, with nearly all of both states …
Drought Expanding and Intensifying Across Southern States
Drought challenges were well-documented last year, especially in the Upper Midwest. However, drought isn’t going away now that we’ve turned the calendar to 2018. DTN meteorologist Bryce Anderson says drought is also firing up and getting more intense in southern states. Intense Temps in the days ahead will be in the mid-70s in Oklahoma, with highs approaching 80 in the …