Soil moisture took a dive last week and crops in parts of the state were showing signs of stress, as warm, dry conditions were felt across the state, a federal agriculture report shows.
I won't argue with any of this one bit, it's damn dry out there and looking at the weather forecast it's only going to get hotter and drier. Damn the bad luck.
The hay crop this year was lower than I expected. Less than one ton to the acre. I consider normal about one and a quarter ton to the acre so I am not looking at as much hay as normal. Lucky I have over 500 ton of year old hay from last year to make up the difference.
I should finish putting the hay up today. I have never finished haying in June before and have never taken less time to get my haying done. That big new baler made a big difference. It can bale so much faster than the little baler it isn't even funny. The biggest problem I had this year was keeping the swather moving to keep enough hay down to keep the baler busy.
There is a little alfalfa growing back but I don't know if it will be enough for a second cutting. Only time will tell but with the lack of moisture I doubt it. There is a little barley hay left to do but it isn't ripe enough yet to cut. Give it a couple of weeks and I will be able to do that to.
Lets all think good thoughts and pray for some rain, not thunderstorms, rain. Maybe it will do some good.
I was drained dry. Freddie Bartholomew
But since I haven't been put in charge yet, so let's join in earnest prayer and hope for rain for your area and others that are too dry too soon this summer. May the Good Lord take mercy.
In SW Kansas where my brother ranches, they're officially in "Extreme Drought."
The Nebraska Sandhills are dry also, my friend wrote to me a few days ago. The hills are burnt up, she said. This is the 4th dry year there.