Posted on 06/12/2021 10:23:32 AM PDT by blam
Readers know by now that the Western US is facing one of the most severe droughts in years. We’ve documented (read here & here) this spring of a “megadrought” sweeping across states like California and Nevada as risks of a second Dust Bowl increase by the day.
But in this note, let’s dive deeper into the drought and how it’s impacting farmers and the potential consequences it could have on crops. Meteorologists at BAMWX have published data on surface soil moisture over 20 years. Surface soil moisture is the water that is in the upper 4 inches and available for various types of plants. They found that the 2021 moisture deficit for early June is the worst it has ever been in two decades.
BAMWX’s Vince Bryan says the moisture deficit in the soil is “a concern” as it may impact plant development. Soil moisture plays a crucial role in agricultural monitoring, drought and flood forecasting, forest fire prediction, and water supply management.
Soil moisture observations can alert of impending drought, such as what’s been underway in the Western US this year.
What this means is that soil moisture deficits can dry crops and make them more vulnerable to pests. Even short-term drought can cause damage to crops, mainly during critical stages of crop development, such as after planting or during flowering.
If the drought persists, crop yields could come underestimates this year and result in elevated agricultural prices.
I would like to hear folks thoughts on this:
I would like to know if it is true or not, Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Climate change. Shelter in place until further orders.
Anybody can mouth off about anything.
I have seen no evidence to support this—if it exists it should not be hard to find.
We have re-doubled efforts around here as far as food production goes. We added a new area that is 100’x20’ for potatoes, sweet corn, winter squash, summer and spaghetti squash, watermelons and musk melons. Our established Kitchen Garden is comprised of 16 raised beds growing all of the ‘usual suspects’ as well as Raspberries, Haskaps, Grapes, Asparagus & Rhubarb.
Currently raising a steer for beef and Beau is up north fishing at Lake of the Woods, MN for fun, but he’ll bring back a mess of fish. It’s actually shared Canadian waters, but he can bring home a lot more than if he were in Canada proper. :) So, by all means - keep that border closed, ya Canadian Hosers; we’ll take your fish, anyway! ;)
I know not everyone can do what we do, due to a lack of land or infirmity, but consider doing what you can to help your family, friends and neighbors. It could get really ugly, really fast!
Also, all FReepers are invited to join/visit or lurk on our Weekly Garden Thread. We are there to help! :)
Here in the Big Valley we got 6 inches of rain in 3 days in March.
The next day there were no more puddles.
What we need is a damn good famine.
Seriously.
When half the people are starving to death, all this woke sheit goes away.
New dustbowl? I welcome the Agri-okies back.
This chart is a bit dated—New England has had plenty of rain in the last few weeks—everything is growing like crazy...
My son and his family live near Spokane, WA. He tells me they are definitely in a drought.
So, Arkansas ans Louisiana are flood zones now. Well, we’ll SELL you some water then at reasonable rates. Bidenflation rates, that is.
Omg there have always been droughts in the western states
What you say about the limits city people face, is very correct! I can grow food year round and I live on the edge of the country’s second largest private cattle ranch, so I probably won’t have a food problem. But most people can’t afford to live in Hawaii. The drought is very real, even here I’ve tabulated a much lower rainfall this year. My normal is average 80 inches per year. I’m at about 20 inches thus far.
But hurricane season just started so who knows?
Yes. Runs in cycles.We're in California. I remember flooding in the 1970's followed by drought. Same in the early 1980's, followed by drought. Again in late 1990's followed by drought. While my daughters were living in Santa Cruz and San Jose, they pointed out almost dried up reservoirs far below normal level in early 2000's. They were replenished by severe raining a few years later. Again in the 2010's we were forced into water rationing because of drought, and then rains caused flooding. Now drought is upon us again. Nothing new, it's cyclic but politicians make things worse with their stupid decisions.
I’m living in Arkansas and moved from NE Mississippi. What drought?
As your intrepid reporter from Olympia Washington I can assure you the drought is not impacting all of the Western United States.
I remember the same in calif. Especially in the 60’s and 70’s, then the dry years. The pols never get it right
> When half the people are starving to death, all this woke sheit goes away. <
Maybe. But in the early stages at least the liberals will double-down on their insanity. It will be a “the beatings will continue until morale improves” type of thing.
And toss the constitution into the trash. It is for our own safety after all. /sarc
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