By Jamie Martin
North Carolina's agriculture is currently under significant stress due to drought conditions affecting nearly the entire state, as confirmed by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
This drought, impacting 99 of the state's 100 counties, is one of the most severe in recent years, with Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman of N.C. State University highlighting its timing during a crucial crop growth period.
The drought's effects are widespread, with the Department of Environmental Quality reporting 57 counties as moderately dry and 42 as abnormally dry.
Notably, crops such as corn have seen a stark degradation in health, with a reported 34% rated as 'poor' or 'very poor' by the end of June, as noted by the USDA. Other crops like cotton, tobacco, and soybeans also report significant stress, threatening economic outcomes for farmers.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler emphasized the urgency of the situation, advising farmers to engage with their insurance agents and political representatives to seek support. He highlighted the critical nature of timely water for crops like corn, which are now beyond the point of recovery for the season.
Klaus Albertin, chair of the DMAC, underscored the rapid degradation of agricultural conditions across the state, worsened by high temperatures and low humidity.
Despite the dire outlook, experts like Corey Davis from the State Climate Office suggest that significant rainfall, potentially from hurricanes, may be needed to alleviate the drought's impacts, though such events bring their own challenges, including potential flooding and wind damage.
This ongoing drought underscores the vulnerability of North Carolina's agriculture to climatic extremes and the pressing need for robust water management and disaster preparedness strategies to safeguard the state's agricultural economy.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zhuda
Categories: National