Upper Cumberland UT Ag Extension Agents say the recent unusually dry spring weather is raising concerns for local farmers and homeowners.
Overton County UT Ag Extension Agent Jason Garrett said Overton County saw some cool-season grasses really grow about two weeks ago. However, since then, Garrett said that growth has really slacked off due to the lack of rain.
“Right now it’s the time of year where all these cool-season grasses we need in pastures, and we’re starting to fertilize for hay production,” Garrett said. “So, we need some rain to trigger this growth to make sure and ensure that we’re going to have some forages.”
Van Buren County UT Ag Extension Agent Chris Binkley said most areas across the Upper Cumberland are already behind when it comes to needed amount of rainfall.
“Without those spring rains, I mean, it kind of puts everything behind,” Binkley said. “You know, you can get the crop in the ground, but if you don’t get any water, then you know it takes water for the seed to germinate.”
Garrett said the region did not get as much as it typically does during the winter months, which is putting more stress on crops. Binkley said all can be made right, as over the next month will be the key time for the region to receive rain.
“If you don’t get a good start, it takes a while to catch back up, you know, so if that plant gets stunted at the beginning of its growth cycle, then it takes it a little longer to reach maturity,” Binkley said.
Binkley said a lot of farmers are planting hay right now for their cattle. Garrett said he is afraid that a similar drought to last year may happen again this year.
“Last year in May, it rained and rained and rained, then it just like in June got here, and it just shut off,” Garrett said. “And that was a lot of the reason, like, you know, we mentioned earlier, cutting hay in May, you know, your cool-season perennial grasses, a lot of producers didn’t get to do that until mid-June into July. And the hay quality was awful. So, we’re going to hope that, you know, here in April and around the first of May, that we can get a lot of rain.”
Though the region will take any rain it can get, Binkley said the region really needs sustained rainfall.
“In all reality, you know, you would like to get about an inch of rain a week to help things grow,” Binkley said.
Binkley and Garrett said that while most homeowners can combat the drought with access to city water or well water, most farmers in the region rely on rainfall.