Drought

We've been complaining about the weather for months. You have probably heard...there has been  a serious drought spreading through the Midwest. While serious, we are not talking "dust bowl" or Horn of Africa devastation. But the drought is ruining some farm operations and people will be forced off their land. In my 60-plus years I've not seen it this bad. I live in a mostly rural community within a few miles of the lower Missouri River and there are sand bars stretching most of the way across the river in some places. We have been living with water conservation restrictions almost all summer. I think most farmers got one cutting of hay but, based on the field near my house, that was probably it. The corn crop is pretty much gone. Soybeans look better, especially in the river bottoms, but they are still in trouble. Cattle farmers are struggling and some farm families I know are cutting down trees so the cattle can eat the few leaves that are left. Apparently, cattle don't always eat trees but when they do, they prefer Honey Locust trees. Here's a tip if you are ever in this situation...don't give them the Honey Locust trees first because they get picky and don't like eating the other trees.


Many of our trees have already turned brown and lost their leaves. That normally happens in late October or early November. I have a big Hickory tree in my front yard that seems to be holding its own. The Cedars are managing okay. Maples and Poplars are mostly bare. I have a Shortleaf Pine out back that is surviving but I've seen some in the area that have turned brown and are probably dead. Dogwood trees are struggling. Landscape plantings are looking terrible. I grow a few hop plants but they failed to produce flowers this year.  The local vineyards are faced with a small grape harvest but they say it will be very high quality. I guess I'll be drinking wine instead of home brew.


Finally things have started to turn around. The remnants of Hurricane Isaac came through on Labor Day weekend and I didn't hear a single complaint. We only managed to get about two inches of rain but it helped. Since then we have had more rainy days and the grass seems to be coming back. Some of the trees look better but it's too late for many of them. Some will come back next year if the winter isn't too harsh and we get more rain. Temperatures have really cooled off. We had weeks of 100 degree days but we are in the mid 70s the last two days. It will get hot again but most of it is over.


I haven't cut my grass since June but I'll probably have to find my lawnmower in about two weeks if we can get some more rain. We usually have a very pretty fall but this year it will be subdued.