Drought
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The latest Drought Monitor, released this morning, shows an expansion of extreme and exceptional drought in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. The extreme drought conditions now extend around most of the Atlanta metro area, although the city is only in moderate to severe drought. Abnormally dry conditions now cover the entire state of Alabama where drought…
Posted in: Drought -
The latest Drought Monitor, released this morning, shows that all levels of drought have expanded in the Southeast, but particularly in Georgia. This week has been bone dry in many locations and temperatures, while more mild, are still running above average. I do not expect any rain from Hurricane Matthew in the worst areas, although…
Posted in: Drought -
The Los Angeles Times had an interesting article this week about how years of protracted drought have impacted farmers in Iran, leaving them worried that their way of life is not sustainable. In Iran, “environmental mismanagement, water overuse, the pressures of population growth and a government more concerned with security and economic challenges have exacerbated…
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According to a story posted this week in The Packer, “Drought, rain and hail in different parts of the country may take their toll on pumpkin supplies as Halloween nears.” The Northeast is the most likely to see shortages with a drought that has blanketed the region for most of the summer, reducing yields by…
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A small area of D4 exceptional drought was introduced to Georgia in this week’s Drought Monitor in the far northwest part of the state. This is the first time that anywhere in Georgia has seen exceptional drought since February 5, 2013 (although that was in central Georgia). Severe drought expanded in Alabama, including a region…
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AgWeb reported this week that the costs of orange juice and coffee are both climbing due to extreme weather in Brazil. Drought conditions are driving up the costs of coffee beans in the coffee production areas while heavy rains in the citrus belt are hampering production of orange juice. Even the cost of sugar is…
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As I’ve posted in previous entries, parts of the Southeast have been suffering from a shortage of hay as drought stopped the growth of pasture and forage plants, especially in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Armyworms have taken advantage of the weakened plants and have attacked in larger than usual numbers, further reducing the amount…