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BY GERALD OCHS
Rappahannock News Special Writer
Despite some significant rain in the area last week, the impact of this year’s drought is likely to _ be sustained for at least a year. Poor hay and grain yields, pasture damage, undersized fruit, impending animal feed stock shortages and resultant higher feedstock prices, falling cattle prices due to drought-induced sales—all point toward some leaner years for Rappahannock and regional farmers.
In an industry that can show marginal returns in good years, and for a county totally reliant upon its farms, at least for their contribution to the serenity of the area, this is bad news indeed. Though farming in Rappahannock may not be the County’s greatest income producer, there should be little question that the character of Rappahannock is heavily farm-based and dependent. In large measure, as the farms and farmers succeed, so succeeds Rappahannock.
Climatological forecasts do show some positive indications, and perhaps normal levels of precipitation can be counted upon to mitigate drought damage already wrought. The latest National Weather Service water supply statement projects precipitation for the period July 15 to Aug. 15 to be above normal, with temperatures in the near normal range. Soil moisture levels have improved somewhat in the last week, and their “severely dry” state has been upgraded, generally to “excessively dry.” On the other hand, short-term weather forecasts show moderately high temperatures and only a slight chance of rain over the next week, perhaps reversing recent moisture gains and further stressing crops, animals, and humans.
Good fortune is relative, however, and Rappahannock farms have been dealt a slightly softer blow than have most surrounding counties. Precipitation to date for the year in Rappahannock shows at 21.70 inches, a deficit of 1.40 inches and
94.7%