James Brown: a professor in the horticulture department, teaches a hands-on vegetable production class. Some Alabama farmers are worried about their crops weathering the drought. Kyle Cooper / ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR
Pools, beaches, laying out and staying cool are words many would use to describe their summer vacation plans. For others, the expected drought brings thoughts of water or lack thereof.
This summer is predicted to be another drought season like last year’s, and Alabama farmers and ranchers are hurting. Many of them must sell their family land or cull their herds just to make ends meet.
“The drought has had an enormous impact on my family and I,” said Cody Horton, a junior in animal science. “Farming and cattle is something that has been in my family for generations and we refuse to give it up, but this drought has definitely made it tougher and tougher every year.”
Many farmers have been hit hard by the past year’s drought and still have loans to pay back for seed, feed, fuel, fertilizer and other necessary purchases.
“Certainly for many of them, this is a make or break year,” said Paul Mask, assistant director for agriculture, forestry and natural resources. “Last year was such a severe drought that many didn’t even make a crop. It may take four good years to get back on a sound footing to make up for the losses this year.”
Jason Fields, a senior in agricultural business and economics, is partnered with his father in a fourth-generation row crop and cattle farm in Danville. Last year’s drought destroyed their corn and cotton crops.
“I can’t say that we have fully recovered, but we have managed well enough to end the winter with a surplus of hay and our water resources are back to a normal level,” Fields said. “Last year’s drought stressed our pastures to a max and cut our hay production to about half. Our wells used for watering cattle were almost dry by mid-summer, which forced us to use water off the county system.
The majority of farmers have not fully recovered from last year’s drought and have lost valuable cattle and land which would normally have been put into production this year.
“We have not fully recovered from the drought nor do I think we will for at least the year or two,” Horton said. “We all have jobs not associated with the farm, but having to sell off that large of a proportion of our herd was definitely a big blow financially.”
Every farmer and rancher is concerned with the increasing prices of input products. Every year is becoming more costly than the last, and the drought only makes the conditions worse.
“If it’s another dry season then it’s going to be tough again,” said Brandon Fray, a senior in agricultural economics and business. “We are still feeling the effects of the drought last year.”
Most farmers are preparing as well. Fields plans to increase hay production and implement an intensive pasture management regime. Horton is allotting more acreage per cow for grazing and is looking for more pasture land.
“Because we are allotting more acreage per cow for grazing instead of having so much allotted for our hay crop, we will now have to spend more money on purchasing hay,” Horton said. “But considering the cost of fertilizer, fuel and general equipment maintenance, we think that it’s an investment and a decision that will pay off.”
