Abnormally Dry Conditions Return, Drought Expands in VA

 

As expected, the hot and dry conditions over the last week have led to the reintroduction of abnormally dry (D0) conditions in a lot of the Southeast, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. They also expanded in Virginia along with a big increase in the area of moderate (D1) drought in the northeast par of the state. With hot temperatures and light rainfall expected in the next week, I expect those areas to stay or even grow on next week’s Drought Monitor. Meanwhile, the drought in Puerto Rico has decreased slightly due to some needed rain.

 

 

 

Video: Comparing the Economics of No-Till, Strip-Till & Conventional Systems

Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Bio-Till Cover Crops, Univ. of Illinois analysts dive into new data from the Precision Conservation Management program, comparing the economic differences between no-till, strip-till and other tillage systems.

Plus, we head to Washington County, Wis., for an update on two farmers who dealt with historic flooding over the summer. Blake Basse credits strip-till and cover crops for helping his cash crops survive the “1,000-year” rain event, while Ross Bishop says his no-till fields are more resilient than his neighbor’s conventional fields.