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Driest ever

B

burnt

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
6,617
Location
Mid-western Ontario
I cannot remember when it has been so dry in April. There was no run off and the creek is as low as I have ever seen it for this time of year. We only had about a foot of snow all winter instead of the usual 2 or more feet.

We need a good shot of rain to get the grass growing to go with the early heat that we've had. It got up to 22C here a couple of times in the past week. We had a tiny sprinkle go through yesterday but it just dried right off in the wind.

Yesterday at the coffee shop, a cash cropper was telling us about his crop consultant/prognosticator's prediction of the driest year ever to hit us. And not just in Ontario.

He follows some weather/cycles guru from the U.S. who bases his studies on sun spots and other cycles of which most of us are blissfully ignorant.

The cropping guys are all ready to go and the ground is ready but it is way too early to plant corn here yet. Really should wait until closer to the end of April to avoid getting hit with that late frost.

Wife has garden worked and planted with peas, radishes, some early stuff. She wasn't too pleased when her hens went and scratched over her radish patch yesterday. I can see a chicken yard building project coming up really soon.

What are moisture conditions like out across where you are?
 
Not a lot of snow this year, but we had the wettest March ever. Portland Jetport measured over 10 or 11 inches. We've had long periods with no precipitation this year, but have had some real heavy rain storms. I'm not sure what El Nino is going to do to us this summer, we'll see.
 
Burnt, I hope you get some precip soon. Here in western SD we have a good start for the year. Dams are full and there is still some snow to melt in the draws. A lot of fence to fix because of the snow, but we can't complain. Snow melt for dams and dugouts is what many ranchers must depend on for livestock water because good wells are hit and miss.

.35" in the wet snow we got Thurs - Friday. That snow was mostly here at daylight Friday and melted by dark.
 
The ground water level is in good shape here on the northern edge of the Sandhills, though it has become a bit dry on top. A little sprinkle went through yesterday which temporarily settled the dust. There has been enough fog this winter to give hope for rains ninety days later.
 
I sure feel for you Burnt. We're just coming out of a decade long severe drought. It has snowed lots here this season, and continues doing so luckily.

After enduring drought, I swore I'd never complain about snow again. Moderation would be nice, but I'd rather take too wet than too dry.

I hope you start getting much needed moisture soon, that's a very frustrating spot to be in.
 
One of the driest I've ever seen here-the yearlings are heading out and the brood mares getting trimmed-note to the three year olds-I'd advise you to buck very hard this spring.
 
Moisture? What's that? Over the last 21 months on the north end we have had about 4 inches total precip. On the south end about 7. Ducks project here should be backed up a mile this time of year not a drop of water in it.
Survived last year on drought reserve and selling the yearlings in the spring. Virtually no growth last year and not much drought reserve left now.
We are in the process of planing for the worst and hoping for the best.
 
I was hoping last years drought plan of grazing cereals and culling 70 cows would put me in good stead for this year. Going to have to get some moisture this month to make that plan work. Then it will be into uncharted drought planning. Always best to pull the trigger before everyone looses their optimism.
 
We are right on the line between good and bad moisture wise. Southern Utah has 200% in places with an average at 120%. Northern half goes downhill quick and only averages in the 60% range. Our snow station says we have 36 inches of snow with 8 new inches with 11.2 inches of water as of this morning. That is on the mountain and puts us at 81% of normal. Living on the high desert means drought is just part of life. We only stock the range to levels that plan for less moisture. Some guys with meadow ground in the valley can hedge a little more and keep more cows home on drier years. 90% of our hayland is irrigated from deep wells or resivours. Drought really keeps the resivours from filling and limits hay/crop production greatly. So we try to put up lots of hay and buy cheaper hay when possible and fisable. Stackyards with hay in them mean being able to go on another year. I hope we all get the rain and snow needed to meet our needs. And I sure feel for those of you who are in greater need. Drought is never pleasant but us crazy desert folks ought'a give ya hope! :D Keep your chin up!
 
Too early to tell. Still lots of snow sitting out there, even though water has been running off for well over a week this go 'round. All spring run off provides here is full dugouts and muskegs, which is good but it doesn't soak in. Hopefully the rains are timely once the frost is out and the crop is in.
 
Went thru periods in 2008 and 2009 when it didn't rain for 35-45 days. Then came September - December 2009 when it rained 34 days during the 4 months. Running scared, been 9 days (2 missed chances) since the last. Wind is really sucking the ground dry and turning it into a brick.

Grass (and weeds) are really starting to grow. Could use a nice rain to keep it going.
 
Well here in North TX it's just the oposite. u]Since Oct. 1 thru March I have had 32 inches.[[/u] If that's not the wettest on record it must be close. I have never been so sick of mud in my life. Every piece of equipment I have is coated with mud. We have even had over a foot of snow this winter which is about five years worth for us. I guess it's blamed on el nino, or global warming, take your pick.
 
Well we usually have mud for at least a month and start calving before it dries up but this year we went from snow to dry ground in 7 days. The grass is starting but we sure could use a rain to give it a boost.

But I sure don't miss the mud.
 
I don't miss the mud either, or mind the fact that it was a mild winter but we sure could use a little mud right about now. All the snow fall we had this winter has sunk into the ground and everything is dried up again.

Can't really cull anymore, hoping to get the last of my yearling bulls out of here soon to save on feed and may haul a few pairs to the auction that really did not meet up to my satisfaction this calving season.

Fingers crossed for some rain soon for all that need it..
 
Got another 3-4 inches of snow last night,getting some pretty good moisture,very darn cold here because of heavy winds & rain lately,so tired of grey skies.Ready for a few days of sunshine.But am thankful of the nice green grass underneath it all.Anybody need some wind :???: :wink:
 
We are record dry (even drier than at this point in 2002). Last week I put up a duck house, and drove the truck into the middle of the slough where there should be 6+ feet of water. The only thing splashing was the dust from the truck tires.
We are in drought mode as well (year 2), and are hoping to breed 120+ with the extra ground we have found. Normally that same land base would cover around 250 females. On the bright side...
our new basement is dry, we are learning a lot, and by the time it rains we should have a very very tightly culled cow herd. :D
 

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