According to the National Weather Service during the spring season there has been less than 7 inches of total rainfall. This lack of rain has a chance to risk the well being of local crops.
29-year-old William Thiele is a sixth-generation dairy farmer and has worked on the farm his entire life. He’s already planted his crops for the season and the lack of rain has Thiele worried that this year’s crops won’t grow in as strong.
“Things are growing a little bit just not as nicely as we’d like (it) to,” said Thiele. “I mean I believe were probably two inches below the normal, I think and that can defiantly hurt our crops right now [be]cause they’re trying to germinate. And they’re just starting out and they need a shot of rain to really get going and thriving.”
According to Thiele, 2020 was also a dry year where farmers had challenges growing crops but he said farmers are constantly changing and adjusting to the climate. But that year, Thiele had to purchase feed for his cows from another farmer impacting his total gains that year. But all that can be done about the dry conditions is hope.
“Pray for rain I guess? We need consistent rainfall, not like if we get 1 inch of rain right now that’s going to make everything all better,” said Thiele. “Yea it is going to help in the short term we need consistent rain not just one big slug at one time.”
Forecasters are predicting rain this weekend but they are unsure on how much rain and if more rain is coming.
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