For some, the rain is too little, too late
8/06/02
By AMY CONQUEST TAYLOR
Recent rainfall in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia was a day late, a dollar short and not even a drop in the bucket to recharging soil moisture.
Maryland received from less than half an inch of rain to 3.5 inches in some areas during the last full week in July. Maryland Farm Service Agency director, Steve Connelly, is calling a drought emergency meeting Aug. 9, to discuss calling for an ag disaster declaration.
Rain now isn’t of much help, echoed Maryland ag Extension agents.
Charles County agricultural agent Pam King estimates as much as 50 percent of the corn crop in her county is lost.
Jim Lewis, Caroline County, reported that only 5 to 10 percent of the corn crop would benefit from rain now, adding there is still hope for soybeans to recover with sufficient rainfall.
In Calvert County, Herb Reed reports corn to be 50 percent poor to very poor, 40 percent fair and 10 percent good. Reed reported by e-mail that timely rains could make a difference with the poorly rated soybean and tobacco crops.
Dave Almquist, Talbot County, and Betsy Gallagher from Dorchester County both reported severe drought conditions with poor crops.
As of presstime, topsoil moisture in Maryland was rated at 25 percent adequate, 43 percent short and 32 percent very short.
Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner urged Delaware residents July 18 to continue to conserve water to stave off mandatory water use restrictions.
Minner imposed voluntary water use restrictions in March and, according to the governor’s office, water usage has been reduced but with the ongoing drought, additional water needs to be conserved.
The Drought Advisory Committee held a public hearing July 29 outlining mandatory water use restrictions under consideration.
The committee will meet Aug. 2 in Dover to further assess drought conditions and discuss restrictions.
As much as 50 percent of the corn crop in the First State is in critical condition with 45 percent of soil moisture rated adequate, 42 percent short and 13 percent very short.
In Virginia, corn for grain is rated 19 percent very poor, 33 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 21 percent good and 2 percent excellent in Virginia with topsoil moistures falling 27 percent very short, 34 percent short, 37 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.