Despite the shots of rainfall that some portions of the Ozarks have received lately, the drought of 2012 is still in full progress and is one of the foremost issues being dealt with by residents of the region.
The heat and dryness are impossible not to pay attention to. The parching tandem are the lead story on almost every newscast, have become a major topic of conversation among people from all walks of life, and are altering countless plans and routines. Basically, everyone living in the region is somehow affected by this summer’s weather.
As the blazing temperatures and lack of rain maintain a grip on in Texas County, volunteer firefighters frequently respond to grass fires, ranchers roll out round bales to feed cattle whose pastures have been reduced to dusty fields with sparse vegetation, and old-timers talk of springs going dry that never have before.
Given no choice, area residents do what they can to cope.
To help some cope, Gov. Jay Nixon on July 24 announced a $7 million emergency cost-sharing program to assist livestock and crop farmers whose production has been severely affected by the weather. Texas County Soil and Water Conservation District representative Kevin Keller said Monday that his office had received close to 70 applications for assistance through the program with drilling or deepening wells, or expansion of irrigation systems.
“It’s like Black Friday here,” Keller said.
At the beginning of this week, about a dozen applicants had qualified and drilling had already taken place at some Texas County farms. Keller got rolling the same day Nixon made his announcement.
“The first farm visit I did was on Tuesday night, and the well drillers were there Thursday morning,” he said. “If we can help some of these people, that’s a good thing.”
Meanwhile, other businesses and business owners carry on and deal with the drought’s negative effects.
Bucyrus resident Steve Wilson isn’t enjoying watching many food plants die at his commercial greenhouse operation.
“I’ve had the best tomato crop I’ve ever had, but about two-thirds to half of them have succumbed to the drought now,” Wilson said. “It’s killing the plants – all the leaves are falling off and the tomatoes are going to burning. Like I said, it was an outstanding crop, but the weather is going to take out a good half of them or better.
“I guess that’s the way it goes. But I’ll tell you what, it’s ugly and I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s just hot – damn hot.”
Richard Best and his wife Shirley have had to alter a decades-old routine at their dairy farm west of Houston.
“There’s nothing good to say about it,” Richard said. “This is the worst I’ve seen it since back in the early ’50s. In this extreme heat, we’re always having to get the cows in an hour to an hour-and-a-half early so we can put the fans on them and water them down to get them some relief. I haven’t had any water problems yet, but there are a lot people who are out of water and are having to move cattle, and have wells dug deeper, or put in new ones.”
The Bests are used to growing much of the feed their cattle eat. This year’s conditions are making that tough.
“We’ve got alfalfa fields that aren’t doing well at all, and hay was short to start with this spring – maybe a third to half the normal crop,” Richard said. “Then when you have to start feeding hay to the cows all summer long, it puts a bind on everything.”
Houston resident and retired educator Ed Edington spends a portion of each year running a lawn care business. He got off to a fast start this spring, but drought conditions have since put his job on hold.
“Because of the warm winter, I probably had the best March I’ve ever had in 14 years,” Edington said. “But then things just dried up. The end of May and first of June reminded me of what it’s typically been like during the end of July and beginning of August. Now I’ve already put all of my clients on a ‘call-me’ basis – there’s no regular schedule.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it quite this dry. If I was having to do this full time, I’d really be hurting.”
By virtually eliminating the need for lawn maintenance, the drought has also had a major effect on the mechanical end of the lawn care field. Carrie Lee said business has all but dried up at her small engine sales and repair shop in Houston.
“It’s been really, really bad on us,” Lee said. “Nobody’s out there cutting, so nobody’s tearing up lawn mowers or needing blades sharpened. Even last year, we didn’t do too bad. But I haven’t seen it like this.”
The National Weather Service (NWS) website (www.weather.gov) indicates that through Monday (July 30), West Plains had experienced 14 days with high temperatures at or over 100 degrees in July, topped by Monday’s sizzling reading of 107. Springfield had experienced a dozen days in the 100s during the month, and four more when the mercury rose to 99. NWS rainfall data showed that Springfield had received 32-hundredths of an inch for July, far less than the normal amount of 3.68 inches, and just over half an inch had fallen in West Plains (.53), way down from the 3.46-inch norm. Yearly numbers had Springfield at 15.4 inches of precipitation and West Plains at 16.98, both more than 10 inches below normal.
Making up that kind of deficit will likely take quite a while.
“We might see some showers that might turn some grass green again,” Edington said, “but it would take quite a bit of water for things to really start growing again. I don’t foresee that happening this year.”
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it quite this dry. If I was having to do this full time, I’d really be hurting.”