Rain is good news for many

With recent downpours fresh in our memories, it's difficult to believe the area has been in severe drought conditions the past two summers. But do the recent rains mean better conditions for farmers? And how long is the rain supposed to last?

While meteorologists hedge on the second question, saying they don't do forecasts far out enough to say what the upcoming summer may hold, farmers are saying all the rain is having both positive and negative effects on their crops.

According to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, or CoCoRaHS, Hickory received between 2 and almost 3 inches of rain between last Wednesday and Friday, June 3 to 5. Sherrills Ford recorded 3 inches, Millersville, 3.7, and Newton 1.2 inches in the same time period.

This week looks to bring chances of more thunderstorms — 20 percent Monday, 40 percent Tuesday and 30 percent Wednesday and Thursday — with temperatures staying in the normal range — highs in the upper 80s and lows in the high 60s, according to the National Weather Service Web site, www.erh.noaa.gov.

Jeffrey Taylor, meteorologist with the service, said Hickory Airport measured .32 inches of rain May 29, .24 inches May 28, and .75 inches May 27. In all, the Hickory area received about 5 1/2 inches of rain during May, a little over an inch above average.

Taylor said while the service limits its forecasts to seven-day stretches, predictors don't show any strong leaning toward more wet or dry weather than normal, or hotter or cooler temperatures than normal for the summer months.

The recent rains have given anglers a larger area to fish. Last week, Joseph Clemente and Jamie Banks, both of Kings Mountain, came to Hickory and fished at Horseford Cove, an area previously unavailable for fishing due to drought conditions.

As for the area's crops, Fred Miller, Catawba County Extension director, said the rain is causing fungal outbreaks in small grain crops.

"It's bad about this time because we're that far from harvest time," Miller said of wheat, a crop harvested toward the end of summer. "The fungus affects the appearance and quality of the grain."

Area Specialized Agent Jeff Carpenter also is concerned about the wheat.

"Anytime the weather is this wet, it can cause a whole variety of molds and toxins," Carpenter said.
But he said any wheat taken to sell at mills is tested for safety and put in categories — "milling" being the highest and put up for human consumption, and feed wheat, used to feed livestock and other farm animals.

Miller said the rain has caused some problems with other crops, but it's mainly reduced good cultivating and harvesting times.

"Our strawberries have been under the gun," Miller said. "With the late frosts, recent rains, they're struggling to keep the ripe fruit picked before it rots."

The time available for harvesting crops also has affected the hay crop.

"It's a challenge getting in the hay crop, to find a dry enough period of time to cut and bail it," Miller said. "We've got a good crop out there, it's just a challenge to get it in."

Carpenter mentions the corn crop is undergoing the same problem, but at the beginning of its planting cycle.

"The wet weather has caused a little delay in getting the corn planted, but it looks to be off to a very good start," he said of the crop brought in during late summer or early fall.

While the rain has caused some concerns, it has benefited farmers who cultivate hot houses or nurseries, the specialty of Craig Adkins, area specialized agent in commercial horticulture.

"The rain's been a blessing for us," he said. "The best thing has been the lifting of the water restrictions."

With landscaping being a large part of the agricultural division Adkins works in, he said workers can install and maintain gardens and landscapes again, with an emphasis on maintaining.

However, he has noticed buyers choosing smaller plants from hothouses and nurseries lately, not big-ticket items such as trees.

Carpenter sums up feelings about the recent downpours.

"The rain is a welcome blessing. It's delayed a few things, but the crops still look good," he said.
Taylor points out the entire state is out of the drought with just a few areas still being considered "abnormally dry."

"We're in a lot better shape than we were last year," he said.