By Clint Thompson
Northeast Alabama remains considerably dry. Some areas have not received any measurable moisture for more than a month, according to Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama.
“We’re going on 42 days at my farm (without rain), and since May 25, I’ve had 2.3 inches of rain,” Schavey said. “It doesn’t look like any rain for the next 12 days. History said the last time North Alabama went with no rain in October was 1924, which is exactly 100 years ago. They say history repeats itself.”
The lack of rain is impacting producers preparing for the next growing season.
“For those that are putting cover crops on their ground for spring plantings, that’s an issue because we don’t have the moisture to get them up,” Schavey said. “Another thing, too, is we always have a few growers that like to put the lime out in the fall, which is the best time; turn that ground and let is set. They’re not wanting to turn it right now because they don’t want the moisture to go out. Everybody is just sitting there with implements hooked up to work the ground and plant for next spring.”
The lack of rain is not just impacting the northeast corner of the state. Almost all of Alabama is covered in drought-like conditions. Most of Alabama is either abnormally dry or moderately dry. Moderate conditions cover most of Northeast Alabama.