There is more to this year’s drought than brown lawns.
The drought is expected to cost the agricultural industry in Indiana more than $1 billion, according to some reports.
According to Mike Sabones, meteorologist in charge for the National Weather Service in Syracuse, an extremely warm March was a sort of previewing of coming attractions for the dry conditions this summer.
“When I was troubled was late spring, you could tell at that point it was dry going into the summer,” said Sabones. “Even in a wet summer you’re not going to find precipitation equal evaporation.”
Sabones said it is hard to compare 2012 to 1988, though that is the year many people reference.
“Those are two different years,” said Sabones. “The thing about 1988 is it was a bit hotter. But 1988 didn’t see the extreme weather we saw in March. It’s difficult to make a comparison.”
The other years that historically stand out are 1934 for its extreme drought conditions and 1936 for extreme temperature.
Sabones said it was important to know that these things are cyclical.
“These things happen from time to time,” said Sabones. “We’ll have dry years and we’ll have wet years again.”
Information from the National Weather Service suggest that despite drought conditions, lake and river levels in the county have remained consistent.
Sabones said the same can’t be said across the state. He noted that the St. Joseph River in St. Joseph County is at historically low levels.
Relief may be on the way this weekend as rain is in the forecast.
“We do have hopes for this weekend,” said Sabones. “It’s not going to be a drought buster but we’re hopeful.”
Kosciusko County is one of 55 counties in the state that has been declared a disaster area by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This designation essentially allows for farms to receive emergency loans from the government.
Kosciusko County is one of 1,016 counties in the country with the disaster designation.
The National Resources Conservation Service through the USDA reports that Indiana is the worst hit of major corn and soybean producer states when it comes to the drought.
The pollination window for corn has closed through much of the state, and the next several weeks will be vital for soybean if there is to be any sort of recovery.
Agriculture economists recently spoke at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and estimated that corn could be down between 13 and 20 percent this year.
Gary Truitt, of Hoosier Ag Today, reported this will affect people at the dinner table as food prices are expected to rise about 3 percent in 2013 according to Purdue Ag Economist Dr. Chris Hurt.
Kosciusko County also remains under a burn ban until July 17.
Indianapolis made news this week for enacting a water ban that starts today.
There has been no indication at the county level such a ban will be enacted here.
Follow staff writer Daniel Riordan on Twitter at @TUNews_Riordan
