US: Northeast Ohio berry crops threatened by lack of rain
No precipitation has been measured in Cleveland since June 1. We are more than 3 inches below what we normally have at this point in the year, the National Weather Service reports, and rain is not in the forecast.
Berry crops are threatened now. Later in the year it could happen to other products such as apples, peaches, pumpkins and corn.
The lack of rain is the polar opposite of last summer when too much rain flooded fields.
Farmers who use ponds to water their crops when rain is scarce said they are depleting that irrigation source sooner than ever. And for those who depend on the rain, the situation is more bleak.
One small farm in that predicament is Chance Creek Blues, in rural Amherst. Owner Bo Arbogast appealed this week to its 900 email subscribers for help in hand watering the blueberries to save the season.
"We're going to walk around and water every bush. We'll simulate rain," Arbogast said.
Arbogast said he can't install irrigation pipes between rows because he couldn't mow the grass. If he doesn't mow, he would need to use pesticides on the berries, and Arbogast and many of his customers enjoy the benefits of organic farming
Larry Secor, the third-generation owner of Secor's Farm in Perry, said his strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are OK because he is using water from large ponds on the 200-acre farm.
"But my ponds are dangerously low," he said. "We need a rain. Bad."
In the meantime, Secor said the dry weather has benefited business.
"It's fantastic for selling because of all of the parties going on," he said.
Later this season that could change unless rainfall picks up as larger produce such as corn and pumpkins need more water.
Most farmers agree that no rain is better than too much. The Weather Service recorded the most precipitation ever in 2011, with nearly double the amount at this time last year.
Source: photos.cleveland.com